• Cross-Cultural Studies
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• v.52
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• pp.417-446
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• 2018

The culture of memory in France regarding slavery and slave trade has slowly been expanding its horizons: from limited perspective focusing on abrogation of slavery to inclusion of discussion on real experiences and suffering of African slaves. This change has been particularly noticeable since the 150th anniversary of abrogation of slavery in France in 1998. It was the year that citizens of French overseas territories that had internalized this painful and shameful history of suffering formed a visible social movement. For the last two decades, the French government has also demonstrated consistent, proactive and prompt response to discussions of issues rooted in slavery in overseas territories, wherein slavery is the root of fundamental problems. In particular, when the Taubira Law (2001) was passed in the Senate, the Committee for the Memory of Slavery was established. This committee has since contributed to better assessment and understanding of French history of slavery and slave trade. Such was the profound as well as significant change in public perception as well as in legal and social aspects that culminated in the 2015 establishment of $M{\acute{e}}morial$ ACTe, Caribbean Centre of Expression and Memory of Slavery and the Slave Trade in Guadeloupe. Reflecting on those historic moments in recent French history, this paper examines major debates in French society regarding establishment of the $M{\acute{e}}morial$ ACTe. It assesses how Aleida Assmann's "cultural memory" was created with the establishment of $M{\acute{e}}morial$ ACTe and how it has contributed to the new cultural identity of French overseas territories.