“This is a historic moment for Martinique,” announced Michelle Monrose, President of the Ad Hoc Commission for Flag and Anthem Selection. Surrounded by a bailiff and members of the Young Citizens’ Council, the official presented the results of the vote this Monday, January 16, at the Museum of History and Ethnography of Fort-de-France. And the big winner is number 242 with a black hummingbird in the middle, winning with 72% of the vote. The anthem that wins the contest is “Ansanm” which received 53% of the votes. The proposals will each be awarded 8,000 euros and will now represent Martinique at international sporting and cultural events.
Even before the results were announced, the two finalists agreed that the new flag should be red, green and black. Colors first appeared in Martinique 60 years ago, under the aegis of the Anti-Colonialist Youth Organization of Martinique, which is not unanimous and is considered by some to be too closely associated with the pro-independence movements.
However, this choice pleased the Territorial Collectivity of Martinique: “These colors are very important to us, they are anchored in our personal and collective consciousness,” emphasizes Michelle Monrose, before explaining the symbol of each color. Red is associated with life, green with freedom with nature and fertility, and black “is a tribute to all who have been violated”.
A process began four years ago
The vote, which took place Jan. 2-13 with mixed controversy and a low turnout — 26,633 voters for the flag, 10,289 for the anthem — marks the conclusion of a process that began four years earlier, in 2018. At that time, the CTM had already started a competition for new symbols and then President Alfred Marie-Jeanne had chosen the Lorizon anthem and the Ipséité flag in the colors green, blue and white.
However, a decision was overturned by the courts in November 2021, with the Administrative Court considering that this decision was not the responsibility of the CTM President but of his Assembly. “Following the closure of the proceedings in 2021, we decided not to do without the martiniquans. That is why we have launched this consultation,” explained Michelle Monrose, who specified: “The Assembly will be able to confirm, ratify and also discuss the decision of the Martiniquans during the next plenary session. »