"These are not countrysides, they are countries, these are not populations, they are peoples." This statement by Aimé Césaire helps to explain the specific role of the overseas territories in contemporary France. The Year of Overseas Territories will make it possible to highlight the historic place of the 12 overseas collectivities in the history of France, their increased presence since the advent of the Republic and citizenship and the creation of cultural identities forged from transoceanic encounters.

This Year of Overseas Territories is organised around several major themes:

History

2011 is the opportunity to remember some historic figures from the Overseas Territories, such as Gaston Monnerville, who died twenty years ago, and Frantz Fanon, the fiftieth anniversary of whose death will be commemorated in December 2011. In addition, national tribute will be paid in April to Aimé Césaire.21 May will mark the tenth anniversary of the law recognising trafficking and slavery as crimes against humanity.

Books and literature

The Year of Overseas Territories will also be in the spotlight at the major literary events. The Book Fair, in March, will give a new visibility to literature from the overseas regions. This will also be the case at the Youth Book and Press Fair in Montreuil in December, and the Spring Poetry Festival in Paris in March.

Performing arts, cinema, television and radio

A number of festivals have added overseas artists to their programmes ( Avignon Festival, Sleepless Night in Paris, Jazz d’or in Strasbourg…). Overseas cinema will also be in evidence throughout the year. The emphasis will be on the need to promote television and radio productions from the Overseas Territories, to help produce and broadcast both documentaries and fiction, particularly in the area of television.

Exhibitions

Several major French museums have decided to promote works and objects from the Overseas Territories within their collections and to endorse exchanges between museums in France and the different regions concerned. These museums include the Quai Branly Museum in Paris.

Education

The Year of Overseas Territories will also be in evidence;in primary schools, high schools and secondary schools. Campaigns are planned throughout the year (greater teaching of the history and culture of the Overseas Territories, exhibitions, educational booklets, etc.).

Environment

The themed days and weeks organised annually will highlight the contribution, originality and spirit of the overseas regions. The different bodies responsible for managing protected areas will also be present through their publications and their involvement in symposia and exhibitions.

Information

In television and radio, partnership agreements will be made in both the public and the private arenas (France Télévisions, Radio France, Canal Overseas, Arte, TV5, Trace TV, Tropiques FM, Radio Nova, etc.). The national, regional, departmental and local written press, both in France and in the Overseas Territories, will be a special partner of the Year of Overseas Territories.