[Communiqué] A commemorative, honorary May 10 to Sainte-Suzanne

On May 10, 2024, the anniversary of the recognition of slavery as a crime against humanity, the town of Sainte-Suzanne will experience a historic and popular event. She will receive from the hands of Mr. Alain Trampoglieri, Secretary General of the “Marianne d’Or” competition, the Golden Marianne in the “Modernity and Memory” category for the project dedicated to Edmond Albius. This award honors this 12-year-old slave, native of the town, who discovered in 1841 the process of pollinating the vanilla flower. Heroic act for a child, a slave and especially a Negro. Quite a symbol for the world to come…

This Golden Marianne will be received in public on behalf of the city by Mayor Maurice GIRONCEL, surrounded by his municipal council and local authorities. Everyone knows the commitment of elected officials, economic and social actors, associative actors and our inhabitants to the promotion of sustainable development in a context where globalization has obscured the place of Man at the heart of his life system, survival or simply the preservation of life.

With Edmond, Sainte-Suzanne, knew how to bring Man closer to nature and the nature of Man. Over time, the numerous and diversified crops: cane, vanilla, banana, pineapple… formerly wheat, tea, corn… have made our city an ever greener city. The development of our territory has allowed the creation of structures where the environment combines plants, water, activities and economic development: the bocage, the banks of our rivers, the kiosks in the hills, the gardens and public spaces…And today today, modernity with the white water stadium, the wind farm, the waste treatment center. These are the elements which argued for Sainte-Suzanne, in recognition of the first ecologist, father of human pollination of the vanilla flower, to obtain this Golden Marianne. What a distinction! What a great distinction! It is a new beacon that will illuminate the hearts of our fellow citizens.

This great recognition, our great pride, is also intended for the people of Reunion who support with strength and determination the new project that we are carrying out for tomorrow: “Having the discovery of Edmond Albius recognized by UNESCO. Thus, we have Edmond Albius admitted to the UNESCO world heritage list.”

It is said that Bourbon vanilla is the black gold of Reunion Island, which is obvious. Now we can say that: “we are proud to have a golden slave, Edmond Albius”.

Friday May 10, 2024

Garden of Heritage and Memory

10 a.m.: Commemoration of May 10

Presentation of the Marianne d’Or Edmond Albius Prize

Saturday May 11, 2024

Bocage Park Lucet Langenier

9 a.m.: Inauguration of the exhibition “Sainte-Suzanne commune-ultimate garden

Tribute to Paul Canagui

Literary, artistic, craft garden, producers’ market, musical entertainment.

Sunday May 12, 2024

9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Literary, artistic, craft garden, producers’ market, musical entertainment.

From left to right :

Alain Tamproglieri, Maurice Gironcel and Bernard Batou