AGP Executive Report

Arts & Culture: A new book review spotlights Andy Merrifield’s Roses for Gramsci, revisiting how Antonio Gramsci’s prison writings keep reshaping politics and culture decades later. History & Justice: France’s National Assembly voted unanimously to repeal the Code Noir, the 1685 decree that legally treated enslaved Black people as property across colonies including Martinique—though Senate approval is still needed. Martinique Connections: A feature on Martinique’s “France/là-bas” divide captures young people’s frustration at limited local access to major mainland shows, with Guadeloupe artists performing in the island spotlighting the hunger for live culture. Sports (Regional): Saint Lucia’s rugby weekend brought a tough double header—youths losing to Martinique U-19 and the senior side shut out by Jamaica—yet the union frames it as valuable development ahead of return matches. Climate & Community (Grenada): Grenada hosted a validation workshop for its Citizen’s Guide to Climate Change Adaptation, updating public-friendly guidance for the 2025–2030 National Adaptation Plan.

Historic Memory & Justice: France’s National Assembly voted unanimously to repeal the 1685 Code Noir, the colonial law that treated enslaved Black people as property—though the bill still needs Senate approval, a major step for countries like Martinique that were directly governed by the decree. Martinique Culture & Music: Teenagers in Fort-de-France are buzzing about Guadeloupean artists 1T1 and Theomaa coming to perform in Martinique, highlighting the island’s ongoing “là-bas” frustration with mainland access to live shows. Regional Rugby: Saint Lucia’s rugby teams took big losses in a weekend clash—Academy and senior squads facing Martinique and Jamaica respectively—with a return trip to Martinique set for June 20. Sports Spotlight (Martinique Grand Prix): Saint Lucian cyclist Denver Alphonse Jr impressed at a Martinique Grand Prix, earning praise as a rising Under-23 talent. Film & Francophone Creators: Wil Aime’s self-funded thriller “Who” is on theatrical release in France and beyond, with the creator drawing inspiration from “Attack on Titan.” Climate & Community (Grenada/tri-island): CYEN Grenada is urging residents and visitors to protect sea turtles during nesting season, including simple beach rules to prevent turtles from abandoning nests.

Local Culture & Music: Martinique teens are buzzing about a live performance by Guadeloupe artists 1T1 and Theomaa, with fans calling it a rare chance to see big acts without “a plane ticket to France.” Sports Spotlight: Saint Lucian cyclist Denver Alphonse Jr, 18, impressed at a Martinique Grand Prix, earning praise as a rising Under-23 talent. Regional Arts & Heritage: A traveling exhibition spotlighting Martinican thinker Édouard Glissant’s art collection is drawing attention to his ideas of relation and cultural “opacity,” with works linked across the Americas. Tourism & Experience Trends: Rum tourism is shifting from simple tastings to story-led, heritage-driven experiences—exactly the kind of “sense of place” visitors want. Business/Justice (Regional): The OHADAC–CARO training programmes for arbitration and ADR are set to launch June 10, aiming to strengthen access to justice across the Eastern Caribbean, including Martinique.

Regional Justice & Training: The OHADAC–CARO Regional Arbitration Centre will officially launch its “Capacity Building on Arbitration and ADR in the Caribbean” on Wednesday 10 June 2026, with support from France’s AFD and the Interreg Caribbean VI Programme, aiming to make dispute resolution more predictable and accessible for businesses across Saint Lucia, Dominica, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Antigua and Barbuda, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Martinique Arts & Culture: A Martinique-focused cultural piece spotlights the island’s “France/là-bas” divide through the excitement around Guadeloupean artists performing locally, capturing how mainland access still feels out of reach. Vodou & Afro-Caribbean Music: International Vodou Day coverage highlights Afro-Caribbean rhythms and priestesses singing in New Orleans, with practitioners and artists connected to Haiti, Benin, Cuba, Congo, Martinique, and more. Sports (Regional): Saint Lucia’s rugby weekend includes a senior men’s Tier 3 Test vs Jamaica, plus an Under-19 clash against Martinique Under-19. Film (France): Digital creator Wil Aime’s self-funded thriller “Who” is on theatrical release in France and Belgium, blending psychological tension with a post-apocalyptic premise.

Rum Tourism Growth: Caribbean rum is shifting from a “nice extra” to a full brand-building playbook, blending heritage, hospitality, education and retail—tourists want a story they can’t recreate at home. Saint Lucia Festival Return: Mercury Fest 2026 is back in Saint Lucia, running Aug 14–16 at Pigeon Point, with music, dance and Caribbean culture aimed at boosting tourism and strengthening ties with the French market (including outreach to Martinique visitors). Martinique Arts & Identity: A traveling Édouard Glissant exhibition spotlights the Martinican thinker’s ideas of relation and opacity, linking artists and filmmakers across the Americas. Martinique Music & Community: A feature captures how Martinicans feel “France/là-bas” injustice—teenagers in Schoelcher rally for Guadeloupean artists 1T1 and Theomaa, showing how live shows still feel rare and precious. Sports Youth Development: Marigot hosted the inaugural Sister Islands Basketball Tournament (U18), bringing together teams from across the Caribbean including Martinique to build youth talent and regional cooperation.

Film & Culture: Martinique’s creative scene gets a spotlight through a feature on Édouard Glissant’s lasting influence, with a traveling look at works from his personal collection and the ideas of relation, density, and opacity shaping how museums curate Francophone art. Music & Live Events: Martinique audiences are also reflected in a report on the frustration of “là-bas” access—teenagers in Schoelcher talk about finally seeing Guadeloupean artists live after sold-out mainland shows. Sports (Regional): Saint Lucia rugby is set for a big weekend with a senior men’s Tier 3 Test vs Jamaica, plus an Under-19 clash against Martinique Under-19, underscoring regional pathways and World Rugby ranking points. Youth Sports: Marigot hosted the inaugural Sister Islands Basketball Tournament (U18 men), bringing together teams from across the Caribbean including Martinique, aiming to build talent and regional cooperation. Film Industry: Francophone creator Wil Aime discusses his self-funded thriller “Who,” now in theaters across France and beyond, and how it draws inspiration from “Attack on Titan.” Travel & Lifestyle: A Martinique-linked tourism angle appears in coverage of luxury travel concepts and regional connectivity themes, including how better movement between islands can unlock culture and business.

Saint Lucia Tourism & Culture: Mercury Fest is back after a six-year pause, with Saint Lucia set to host Mercury Fest 2026 from August 14–16 at Pigeon Point, promising music, dance, boating energy, and a strong push to draw visitors from Martinique and other French Isles. Martinique Voices & Arts: A feature spotlights Édouard Glissant’s influence beyond literature, including a traveling exhibition tied to his personal art collection and his ideas of relation and opacity—an arts angle that lands close to Martinique’s cultural conversation. Film Spotlight: Wil Aime’s self-funded thriller “Who” is on theatrical release in France and beyond, with the creator discussing inspiration and the film’s high-tension premise. Sports (Regional): Saint Lucia rugby is set for a big weekend: the senior Zandolis face Jamaica in a Tier 3 Test match, and Saint Lucia’s Academy also plays Martinique Under-19. Youth Basketball: The Sister Islands Basketball Tournament (U18) kicked off in Saint-Martin, bringing teams including Martinique and aiming to build regional pathways through sport. Martinique-Linked Culture & Identity: A Martinique-focused piece captures how local fans feel about “là-bas” and mainland access to major concerts—plus the excitement around Guadeloupean artists performing in Martinique.

Festival Return: Mercury Fest is back in Saint Lucia after a six-year pause, set for August 14–16 at Pigeon Point, with music, dance, and Caribbean culture aimed at drawing visitors—especially from Martinique—through a “galore weekend” with local artistry and international reach. Arts & Culture: A traveling exhibition spotlighting Édouard Glissant’s influence is on view in Manhattan, tying his ideas of relation and opacity to works from his personal collection and artists across the Americas. Film Spotlight: Francophone creator Wil Aime’s self-funded thriller “Who” is in theatrical release in France and beyond, blending psychological tension with a post-apocalyptic “monster” premise. Local Youth Sports: Saint Martin’s Sister Islands Basketball Tournament wrapped up with U18 teams from across the region, including Martinique, using sport to build youth pathways and regional cooperation. Martinique Connection: A Saint Lucia–Martinique Under-19 clash is on the rugby calendar, with Saint Lucia’s senior men also taking on Jamaica at Gros Islet on Saturday. Travel/Entertainment Tech: Sky Mobile UK doubled roaming destinations to 120 for £2 a day, including Caribbean stops like Barbados, Jamaica, and others—useful for fans planning trips.

Arts in the spotlight: The Fort Myers Beach Art Association’s “Anything Goes” show is on through Saturday at its Cypress Square gallery, with a mix of acrylics, watercolors, and oils on display. Martinique culture & identity: A new feature highlights how Martinicans feel “exiled” by education gaps, while another piece spotlights the island’s creative pull—like the buzz around Guadeloupean artists 1T1 and Theomaa performing in Martinique. Film & creators: Francophone creator Wil Aime discusses his self-funded thriller “Who,” now in theaters in France and beyond, and how it was inspired by “Attack on Titan.” Sports & youth: The Sister Islands Basketball Tournament wrapped its inaugural U18 edition in Marigot, bringing teams from across the Caribbean (including Martinique) to develop young talent. Regional connections: A Saint Lucia trade push includes cultural cooperation with Martinique, aiming to turn partnership talk into export-ready projects.

Martinique Arts & Culture: Teenagers in Fort-de-France are buzzing about a homecoming-style concert with Guadeloupean artists 1T1 and Theomaa, a rare chance to see big names locally after “France/là-bas” shows often require costly plane tickets. World Football: France’s World Cup 2026 talent depth is getting attention again, with coverage pointing to the long-running push for football academies that turned frustration into a deep pipeline. Film & Local Industry: Wil Aime’s self-funded thriller “Who” is on theatrical release in France and beyond, with the creator also linking the film’s inspiration to “Attack on Titan” after AfroCannes. Sports Youth: Saint-Martin hosted the Sister Islands Basketball Tournament (U18), with Martinique among the delegations and a focus on regional youth development through sport. Streaming Watch: Netflix’s 2026 shake-up continues, with multiple series confirmed to end or be canceled this year. Travel & Lifestyle: NAORA is launching a new luxury sailing membership concept, while Sky Mobile UK expands roaming destinations to 120 for £2 a day.

Luxury Hospitality: InterContinental Grenada–La Sagesse is set to open in November 2026 on La Sagesse Bay, bringing 120 guestrooms and suites under IHG’s luxury collection, with design inspired by Grenada’s coastline and local character. Francophone Film Buzz: Wil Aime, a major Francophone creator, is promoting his self-funded thriller “Who,” now in theatrical release across France and beyond, with inspiration drawn from “Attack on Titan.” Caribbean Travel & Culture: A Saint Lucia community tourism visit highlights ATV adventures near Anse La Voutte Beach, with views that even reach Martinique on clear days. Sea-Travel Lifestyle: NAORA launches a new luxury sailing membership—an 80-foot catamaran expedition concept built around repeat access rather than cruises or charters. Regional Connections: Grenada’s PM Dickon Mitchell calls for deeper Africa–Caribbean trade and investment cooperation, pointing to arts, creative industries, tourism, heritage links, youth and tech partnerships. Martinique Link in Aviation: Caribbean Airlines plans to reduce service to Martinique and Guadeloupe (from four weekly flights to two) as it restructures, alongside withdrawals from other islands. Sports Youth Spotlight: The Sister Islands Basketball Tournament in Saint-Martin showcased U18 talent from across the region, using sport to build youth development and cooperation.

French Cinema Spotlight: Wil Aime is shaking up the French film scene with his self-funded, self-produced thriller Who, now on theatrical release in France and beyond, inspired by Attack on Titan and built around a “real monster” mystery. Caribbean Travel & Culture: A visit to Saint Lucia shows how community tourism is changing the experience, from ATV tours in Beausejour to beach stops with views that even reach Martinique. Luxury at Sea: NAORA launches a new membership-style sailing concept on an 80-foot catamaran, aiming for repeatable “access” rather than one-off cruises. Regional Arts & Trade Link: Saint Lucia officials meet French delegates to strengthen trade and cultural cooperation with Martinique, with a focus on practical export readiness and CARIFORUM-EU follow-through. Sports & Youth: Saint Martin’s team topped the Sister Islands Basketball Tournament in Marigot, highlighting growing Caribbean youth sport ties. Local Film Festival: Diversity Film Festival 2026 closes with two English-subtitled screenings, including Fanon and the Sami-focused documentary Historjá. Air Service Shake-up: Caribbean Airlines will withdraw from Dominica and St. Kitts/Nevis from June 1 and cut frequencies to Martinique and Guadeloupe.

Maritime Drama: Professional skipper Vicky Ellis describes how she handled a transatlantic rigging failure with two young children onboard, juggling emergency gear and tough parent-child negotiations while keeping the family calm at sea. Trade & Culture: PM Dickon Mitchell urged deeper Africa–Caribbean trade and investment ties, spotlighting arts, education, creative industries, tourism, heritage links, youth and technology partnerships. Regional Connectivity: A Saint Lucia–Martinique push aims to strengthen trade, investment and cultural cooperation, with talks focused on export readiness like testing, packaging, transport, traceability and compliance. Film & Identity: The Diversity Film Festival wraps with two final English-subtitled screenings, including “Fanon” (about Frantz Fanon’s work in Algeria) and “Historjá – Stygn för Sápmi” (Sami artist Britta Marakatt-Labba). Sports Youth: Saint Martin’s U18 teams topped the Sister Islands Basketball Tournament rankings, using sport to build regional youth development and cooperation. Airline Changes: Caribbean Airlines will withdraw service to Dominica and St. Kitts and cut frequencies to Martinique and Guadeloupe as it restructures after losses. Streaming Watch: Netflix’s 2026 cancellations/ends list includes major titles like “Emily in Paris,” signaling more shakeups for entertainment fans.

Arts & Travel Reflection: A new “News from nowhere” travel piece argues that great art and real discovery come from experiencing the world directly—warning that always reaching for a camera can freeze moments and steal growth. Caribbean Heritage Month: Caribbean Heritage Month marks its 20th year with a “building together and celebrating roots” agenda mixing film, literature, and culture—plus a legislative week spotlighting both foreign and domestic issues. Regional Sports Spotlight: Saint-Martin’s youth basketball team topped the Sister Islands Basketball Tournament, bringing together U18 squads across the Caribbean and the U.S. Film & Culture: A Diversity Film Festival finale features two English-subtitled screenings, including “Fanon” (about Frantz Fanon, from Martinique) and the documentary “Historjá – Stygn för Sápmi.” French Reparations Debate: Macron says France must address reparations for slavery’s legacy, launching research with Ghana but avoiding clear financial proposals. Connectivity for Tourism: Nevis pushes stronger air links and plans collaboration with Guadeloupe and Martinique to boost regional travel and cultural exchange.

Caribbean Heritage Month: June marks the 20th annual “building together and celebrating roots” push, with arts, film, and literature plus a week of legislative focus—kicking off with a June 3 marketing conference and a June 9 City Hall recognition by Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Regional Transport Crunch: A unified ECCU/Caricom transport plan is getting louder as carriers keep shrinking—Caribbean Airlines is pulling routes to Dominica and St. Kitts and cutting frequencies to Martinique and Guadeloupe from June 1. Film & Streaming Buzz: Diversity Film Festival closes with two star screenings in Nicosia—Fanon and Sami-focused documentary Historjá—while Netflix confirms 2026 endings for major titles like Emily in Paris and The Lincoln Lawyer. Sport & Youth: Saint-Martin’s Team Saint Martin topped the Sister Islands U18 Basketball Tournament, spotlighting regional talent and cooperation. Wellness Tourism: TTW lists the Americas and Caribbean’s top 30 wellness destinations for 2026, betting on shorter, nature-led retreats.

Caribbean Heritage Month: The 20th annual Caribbean Heritage Month is in full swing, with a packed June agenda built around “building together and celebrating roots,” pairing arts and culture with a week of legislative focus and a film festival, plus major city events like a June 3 marketing conference and a June 9 council recognition by Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Diversity Film Festival: In Nicosia, the Film Festival on Diversity 2026 wraps with two star screenings under the stars at Axiothea Mansion—Fanon (English subtitles) and the documentary Historjá – Stygn för Sápmi—co-organised with French and Swedish partners. Sports & Tourism: Saint-Martin topped the Sister Islands Basketball Tournament rankings at the Jean Louis Vanterpool Stadium, while TTW named the Americas and Caribbean’s Top 30 wellness tourism destinations for 2026. Regional Air Shifts: Caribbean Airlines confirmed it will withdraw service to St. Kitts & Nevis and Dominica from June 1, 2026, citing ongoing losses. Martinique in the spotlight: Martinique’s Martinique-born Frantz Fanon takes center stage in the festival’s featured film.