AGP Executive Report

Cruise & Travel: Nicko Cruises just unveiled its 2027-28 world cruise on the Vasco da Gama, a 172-day “Big World Tour” starting Nov 4, 2027 in Lisbon and looping through 41 countries—then hopping from Martinique to the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and more. Culture & Arts: Pérez Art Museum Miami announced 21 artists selected for its inaugural Open Call for Digital Art Commissions, with submissions from 50 countries including Martinique, and grants supporting experimental work through 2027. Theatre in Martinique: Dr. Travis Weekes is running a two-week intensive theatre workshop at Tropiques Atrium, adapting his Caribbean historical drama “Take Me To Mon Repos” (set in 1794 Saint Lucia) with local actors, with plans for a film adaptation. Regional Diplomacy: OECS formalized a renewed bond with France by accrediting Ambassador Marie-Noëlle Duris, highlighting shared priorities like climate resilience, public health, maritime security, and educational mobility. Sports & Society: A World Cup penalty miss sparked a wider conversation after racist abuse targeted players of African heritage—raising alarms about what happens online and in stands after big moments. Food & Lifestyle: A legal case questions “cage-free” egg labeling, adding fuel to the debate over animal welfare claims and what shoppers actually get.

Cruise & Caribbean Travel: Nicko Cruises unveiled its 2027–28 world cruise on the Vasco da Gama, a 172-day “Big World Tour” starting Nov 4, 2027 in Lisbon and returning Apr 24, 2028—featuring a stop in Fort-de-France, plus a 14-day Martinique-to-Dominican Republic segment and other Caribbean, Central America, and Panama Canal highlights. Theatre & Local Culture: Dr. Travis Weekes (UWI) is in Martinique for a two-week intensive theatre workshop at Tropiques Atrium, working with Martiniquan actors David Erbel and Syringa Jean-Baptiste on his historical drama “Take Me To Mon Repos,” with plans discussed for a Martinique/Saint Lucia staging and a film adaptation. Regional Diplomacy: France and the OECS deepened ties with the accreditation of Ambassador Marie-Noëlle Duris, stressing shared work on climate resilience, public health, maritime security, education mobility, French language training, and innovation—highlighting the close links with nearly 800,000 French nationals in Martinique, Guadeloupe, and Saint Martin. Sports & Respect: After a World Cup penalty shootout, Clarence Seedorf spoke out against the racial abuse aimed at players of African heritage—spotlighting how online and stadium racism can follow sport’s toughest moments. Arts & Digital Creativity: PAMM announced 21 artists selected for its inaugural Open Call for Digital Art Commissions, with themes including identity, migration, memory, and technology—receiving submissions from 50 countries including Martinique. Community & Learning: Sandals National Learn to Swim Week is set for Grenada (6–10 July), with instructor training and lessons across 15 locations including Carriacou and Petite Martinique.

Football & Society: After the Netherlands’ World Cup Round of 32 penalty loss to Morocco, Clarence Seedorf spoke out against the racist abuse aimed at Dutch players of African heritage—highlighting how online and stadium hate often follows missed spot-kicks. Digital Arts: Pérez Art Museum Miami named 21 artists for its first Open Call for Digital Art Commissions, with grants up to $15,000 and themes including identity, migration, and memory; submissions included from Martinique. Theatre in Martinique: Dr. Travis Weekes is running a two-week theatre workshop at Tropiques Atrium with Martiniquan actors, developing his Caribbean historical drama “Take Me To Mon Repos,” with talks to stage it locally and adapt it for film. Caribbean Culture & Music: A feature celebrates 15 Caribbean music genres and their origins, from reggae and soca to dancehall—good weekend reading for culture lovers. Regional Diplomacy: France and the OECS formalized renewed ties, with Ambassador Marie-Noëlle Duris presenting credentials and stressing cooperation on climate resilience, public health, education mobility, and maritime security—relevant for Martinique’s regional links.

Racism in Football: After the Netherlands’ World Cup Round of 32 penalty loss to Morocco, former star Clarence Seedorf condemned the racist abuse aimed at Dutch players of African heritage, calling out the ugly online and stadium backlash that follows missed spot-kicks. Digital Arts in the Caribbean: Pérez Art Museum Miami named 21 artists for its first Open Call for Digital Art Commissions, with grants up to $15,000 and themes spanning identity, migration, memory, and technology—submissions included from Martinique. Theatre in Martinique: Dr. Travis Weekes is running a two-week intensive workshop at Tropiques Atrium with Martiniquan actors, developing his Caribbean historical drama Take Me To Mon Repos and discussing a possible film adaptation. France–OECS Links: OECS and France deepened ties with Ambassador Marie-Noëlle Duris’s accreditation, highlighting cooperation on climate resilience, public health, education mobility, and regional connectivity. Diplomacy & Culture: Saint-Martin took part in the ACS Council of Ministers in Panama City, pushing regional cooperation and trade/investment support for Caribbean SMEs. Lifestyle & Wellbeing: A St Lucia move story from an Essex woman highlights mental health, citizenship, and building a new life—plus the wider “escape and restart” trend.

Theatre & Culture in Martinique: Dr. Travis Weekes is running a two-week intensive theatre workshop at Tropiques Atrium, working with Martiniquan actors David Erbel and Syringa Jean-Baptiste on his Caribbean historical drama Take Me To Mon Repos—with talks underway to stage it locally and even develop a film adaptation. Regional Diplomacy (France–OECS): France has renewed its ties with the OECS by accrediting Ambassador Marie-Noëlle Duris, highlighting shared priorities like climate resilience, public health, maritime security, and education mobility—especially relevant for Martinique, Guadeloupe and Saint Martin’s large French population. Music & Identity: A spotlight on how Paris has become a hub for Black culture, shaped by African and Caribbean communities and their influence on major public celebrations. Arts & International Scene: AKAA 2026 returns to Paris (23–25 Oct) with a focus on photography and works on paper, continuing its push for contemporary African art. Sports & Lifestyle: World Cup fever is building around the final 32, with early upsets and standout goalkeeping moments drawing attention.

World Cup Fever: The USA stormed through the group stage with a game to spare, while the tournament’s early upsets included 0-0 stalemates like Cape Verde vs Spain and Ghana vs England, plus standout goalkeeper performances. Surrealist Literature: A fresh, more readable translation of André Breton’s Nadja (1928) is drawing attention for finally making the classic feel clearer and truer to Breton’s original. Global Choral Night: Pangbourne Choral Society is staging “Music Across the World,” with songs from every continent in 10 languages—an easy cultural escape without leaving home. Theatre in Martinique: Dr. Travis Weekes is running a two-week workshop at Tropiques Atrium, shaping Caribbean historical drama Take Me To Mon Repos with local actors, with hopes for a Martinique and Saint Lucia production and even a film adaptation. France–OECS Links: OECS has formalized a renewed diplomatic bond with France, highlighting shared priorities like climate resilience, public health, maritime security, and education mobility for the French Caribbean. Cultural Spotlight: Paris’s Black diaspora is reshaping the city’s music scene and visibility, from African French sounds at major street events to deeper community networks. Music & Identity: Trinidad-born composer Etienne Charles talks about music as living cultural memory—migration, belonging, and Caribbean rhythms meeting contemporary jazz.

Theatre & Identity: Dr. Travis Weekes, Theatre Coordinator at UWI and Artistic Director of TÉYAT KARAIBE, is running a two-week intensive workshop in Martinique with local actors at Tropiques Atrium, based on his historical drama Take Me To Mon Repos (set in 1794 Saint Lucia, exploring love, resistance, colonial power, identity and creolization). Regional Culture & Diplomacy: France and the OECS are deepening ties with the accreditation of Ambassador Marie-Noëlle Duris, highlighting shared work on climate resilience, public health, maritime security, education mobility, French language training and innovation—especially relevant for Martinique, Guadeloupe and Saint Martin’s nearly 800,000 French residents. Arts in Focus: AKAA 2026 returns to Paris (23–25 Oct) with a photography spotlight and a works-on-paper programme, continuing its push for contemporary African art. Music as Memory: Trinidad-born composer/educator Etienne Charles talks about how Caribbean music carries migration stories and cultural memory—rooted in tradition, but always improvising forward. Culture & Black Paris: A look at how Black French culture reshaped Paris beyond stereotypes, with African and Caribbean communities driving new rhythms and visibility. Food & Lifestyle Law: A “cage-free” eggs dispute raises questions about what labels really mean for animal welfare claims.

Theatre & Identity: Dr. Travis Weekes is in Martinique for a two-week intensive workshop at Tropiques Atrium, working with Martiniquan actors David Erbel and Syringa Jean-Baptiste on his historical drama Take Me To Mon Repos (set in 1794 Saint Lucia), exploring love, resistance, colonial power, and creolized memory—plus talks are underway to stage it locally and develop a film adaptation. Black Culture in France: A new look at how Paris became a hub for Black culture highlights African French and Caribbean communities reshaping the city’s music scene, from street celebrations like Fête de la Musique to wider cultural visibility. Regional Diplomacy (France–OECS): The OECS formalized a renewed bond with France via Ambassador Marie-Noëlle Duris, stressing shared priorities like climate resilience, public health, maritime security, and educational mobility—grounded in the close ties of nearly 800,000 French citizens across Martinique, Guadeloupe, and Saint Martin. Lifestyle & Learning (Swimming): Grenada’s Sandals National Learn to Swim Week (6–10 July) rolls out after instructor training, with lessons across 15 locations (including Petite Martinique), aiming to boost how children learn to swim.

Caribbean Music Spotlight: Even after Caribbean American Heritage Month ends, a new roundup reminds us how reggae, soca, dancehall and more grew from African, European and Indigenous roots into global soundtracks of identity and resistance. Regional Diplomacy (France–OECS): France has renewed its ties with the OECS by accrediting Ambassador Marie-Noëlle Duris, with leaders pointing to shared work on climate resilience, public health, maritime security, education mobility and French-language training—especially relevant for the nearly 800,000 French nationals living across Martinique, Guadeloupe and Saint Martin. OECS “Renaissance” Talk: At the 78th OECS Authority meeting, chairmanship shifted to Antigua and Barbuda’s PM Gaston Browne, who urged bold, transformative leadership and faster implementation to keep the Eastern Caribbean resilient. Grenada Diaspora Homecoming 2026: Returning Grenadians were welcomed at Belmont Estate for a two-week programme mixing culture, community, investment dialogue and professional exchange, with Foreign Affairs Minister Joseph Andall stressing purpose, belonging and development. Lifestyle & Wellness (Aman at Sea): Reservations opened for Amangati’s inaugural Caribbean season (Nov 21, 2027–Jan 2, 2028), with short luxury voyages across the Leeward, Windward and Dutch Caribbean. Sports/Community (Swim Week): Grenada’s Sandals National Learn to Swim Week runs 6–10 July, backed by instructor training aimed at improving how young swimmers learn across multiple island locations.

Regional Diplomacy: Saint-Martin’s First Vice-President Alain Richardson and External Action lead Cyrielle Cuirassier attended the 31st ACS Council of Ministers in Panama City, highlighting fresh momentum for trade and investment via the new TIPO network. France–OECS Partnership: The OECS formalized a renewed diplomatic bond with France as Ambassador Marie-Noëlle Duris presented her Letters of Credence, with a focus on climate resilience, public health, maritime security, education mobility, and innovation. OECS Leadership Push: At the 78th OECS Authority meeting in Antigua and Barbuda, leaders marked 45 years of integration and called for an “OECS renaissance” under new chair Gaston Browne, stressing bold implementation for resilience and shared goals. Lifestyle & Travel: Aman at Sea opened reservations for its inaugural Caribbean season aboard Amangati (Nov. 21, 2027–Jan. 2, 2028), with itineraries across the Leeward, Windward, and Dutch Caribbean, including stops in Martinique and Saint Lucia. Culture Spotlight: Euzhan Palcy was revisited in a Paris conversation with June Givanni, reflecting on her Martinique roots and the enduring creative bond between the two filmmakers.

Regional Diplomacy: Saint-Martin sent First Vice-President Alain Richardson and external action commissioner Cyrielle Cuirassier to the 31st Council of Ministers of the Association of Caribbean States in Panama City, highlighting fresh momentum for trade and investment via the new TIPO network. France–OECS Partnership: The OECS formalized a renewed diplomatic bond with France as Ambassador Marie-Noëlle Duris presented her Letters of Credence, with cooperation flagged for climate resilience, public health, education mobility, French language training, agriculture, connectivity and innovation. OECS “Renaissance” Push: At the 78th OECS Authority meeting (45 years of integration), leaders called for bold, transformative leadership and tougher implementation, with chairmanship shifting to Antigua and Barbuda’s Gaston Browne. Culture & Film: Euzhan Palcy, born and raised in Martinique, is spotlighted in a Paris conversation with June Givanni, revisiting her breakthrough “Sugar Cane Alley” and her enduring creative bond with the filmmaker. Lifestyle & Travel: Aman at Sea opened reservations for Amangati’s inaugural Caribbean season (Nov. 21, 2027–Jan. 2, 2028), with itineraries across the Leeward, Windward and Dutch Caribbean including Martinique stops.

OECS–France Partnership: France has formally renewed its ties with the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States by accrediting Ambassador Marie-Noëlle Duris, highlighting shared stakes for Martinique, Guadeloupe and Saint Martin—climate resilience, public health, maritime security, education mobility, French language training and innovation. Regional Leadership Reset: At the OECS Authority’s 78th meeting (45 years of integration), chairmanship shifted to Antigua and Barbuda’s Gaston Browne, who called for an “OECS renaissance” with bold, transformative leadership and stronger implementation across the region. Cultural Spotlight: AKAA 2026 returns to Paris (23–25 Oct) with a major photography focus and an exhibition programme exploring works on paper, as the fair continues to shape how contemporary African art is seen worldwide. Diaspora & Belonging: Grenada Diaspora Homecoming 2026 kicked off with a Welcome Reception at Belmont Estate, with Foreign Affairs Minister Joseph Andall stressing reconnection “with purpose” through culture, investment dialogue and professional exchange. Music & Identity: Trinidad-born composer Etienne Charles speaks to how music carries migration stories and cultural memory—blending Caribbean rhythms with contemporary jazz. Local Lifestyle Angle: A UK woman’s move to St Lucia is framed as a mental-health and lifestyle reset, with her planning a tour company and interactive travel guide.

France–OECS Diplomacy: France has accredited Ambassador Marie-Noëlle Duris to the OECS, underlining shared work on climate resilience, public health, maritime security, education mobility, French language training, and innovation—especially relevant for Martinique, Guadeloupe and Saint Martin, home to nearly 800,000 French citizens. Regional Leadership: At the OECS 45th anniversary and 78th Authority meeting, leaders called for an “OECS renaissance,” with Chairmanship shifting to Gaston Browne and a push for bolder, faster implementation on trade, connectivity, and economic resilience. Culture & Film: Euzhan Palcy, born and raised in Martinique, is interviewed by June Givanni, revisiting her landmark Oscars moment and the early Venice success of Sugar Cane Alley. Art in the Spotlight: AKAA 2026 returns to Paris (Oct 23–25) with a major focus on photography and works on paper, celebrating a decade of contemporary African art momentum. Travel & Lifestyle: Aman at Sea opened reservations for Amangati’s inaugural Caribbean season (Nov 21, 2027–Jan 2, 2028), with five- to eight-night routes across the Leeward, Windward, and Dutch Caribbean, including calls in Martinique and nearby islands. Community & Identity: Grenada Diaspora Homecoming 2026 kicked off with a Welcome Reception at Belmont Estate, aiming to reconnect nationals through culture, investment dialogue, and professional exchange.

France–OECS Diplomacy: France has renewed its ties with the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States, accrediting Ambassador Marie-Noëlle Duris and spotlighting shared priorities like climate resilience, public health, maritime security, education mobility, and French-language training—an especially personal link given the nearly 800,000 French citizens living in Martinique, Guadeloupe, and Saint Martin. Regional Leadership: At the OECS 45th anniversary and 78th Authority meeting, leaders called for an “OECS renaissance” as chairmanship shifted to Gaston Browne, with a focus on trade, connectivity, and resilience. Culture & Travel Luxury: Aman at Sea opened reservations for its inaugural Caribbean season aboard Amangati (Nov. 21, 2027–Jan. 2, 2028), with itineraries across the Leeward, Windward, and Dutch Caribbean—plus stops including Martinique and Anguilla. Diaspora & Community: Grenada Diaspora Homecoming 2026 kicked off with a Welcome Reception at Belmont Estate, using culture and professional exchange to reconnect returning nationals with the homeland. Martinique/Guadeloupe Health Justice: In Paris, protesters marched for justice and compensation for victims of Agent Orange and for chlordecone contamination in French overseas territories, including Guadeloupe and Martinique, as legal cases move through France’s courts.

France–OECS Diplomacy: France has renewed its ties with the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States by accrediting Ambassador Marie-Noëlle Duris, with a focus on climate resilience, public health, maritime security, education mobility, French language training, and regional connectivity—an especially close fit given the large French-Caribbean population across Martinique, Guadeloupe, and Saint Martin. Regional Leadership & Resilience: At the OECS Authority’s 45th-anniversary meeting, leaders called for an “OECS renaissance” as chairmanship shifted to Gaston Browne, stressing bold, transformative action to strengthen unity and tackle shared challenges. Culture & Travel (Martinique-linked): Aman at Sea opened reservations for its inaugural Caribbean season, with Amangati itineraries that include Anse d’Arlet in Martinique and Soufrière in Saint Lucia, plus Leeward and Dutch Caribbean stops. Community & Justice: A Paris protest at Place de la Bastille demanded justice for victims of Agent Orange and chlordecone contamination, explicitly naming Guadeloupe and Martinique amid major court developments. Music & Identity: Euzhan Palcy is revisited in an interview-style feature about her early career and her connection with June Givanni—rooted in her Martinique story and legacy.

France-OECS Partnership: France’s new ambassador to the OECS, Marie-Noëlle Duris, presented her Letters of Credence to Dr. Didacus Jules, pledging deeper cooperation on climate resilience, education, agriculture, public health, connectivity and innovation—highlighting the close ties of nearly 800,000 French nationals in Martinique, Guadeloupe and Saint Martin. Regional Leadership: At the OECS 45th anniversary and 78th Authority meeting, leaders pushed an “OECS renaissance,” with chairmanship shifting to Gaston Browne and a focus on bold, practical implementation for resilience and shared goals. Culture & Arts: AKAA 2026 returns to Paris (Oct 23–25) with a photography spotlight and a programme exploring works on paper, continuing its push for contemporary African art. Diaspora & Identity: Grenada Diaspora Homecoming 2026 kicked off with a Welcome Reception at Belmont Estate, using culture and professional exchange to reconnect returning nationals with “purpose.” Community & Rights: In South Africa, MTN chair Mcebisi Jonas used an activist’s funeral to condemn xenophobia as a symptom of state failure, arguing inequality and unemployment won’t be solved by targeting foreigners. Martinique/Guadeloupe Justice: A Paris protest backed victims seeking justice over Agent Orange and chlordecone contamination, including in French overseas territories like Martinique and Guadeloupe.