Every Wednesday from July 25 to August 8, 2018, the Martinique Nature Park organized “Les Mercredis d’Emeraude” at the Domaine d’Emeraude, located in Morne-Rouge on Route de la Trace.
“The Park’s workshops aim to create activities at the Domaine d’Emeraude site to encourage people who wouldn’t have come just for the tour to visit our site. ”It’s an opportunity to explore the estate and create a new sense of vitality by offering activities to the public at this magnificent site,” explains Caroline Batiza, coordinator of community outreach activities for the PNM.
Every Wednesday, people of all ages were able to enjoy a variety of workshops: floral art, visual arts, creative workshops, music, open mic nights, kite-making, and wooden games. These activities were very popular with the hundred or so people who attended each Wednesday.
Natural Elements and Tradition Take Center Stage
Among the workshops offered was one led by Eric Bladay, a visual artist with over 30 years of experience, who provided an introduction to gourd carving techniques. Participants drew inspiration from nature for their carvings, depicting animals, fish, and various landscapes of the island.
The Sanblaj pou fé kréyol lékol association offered a workshop on the country’s traditional rhythms: bélé, biguine, mazurka, and others. This introductory session allowed everyone to participate and discover the different rhythms—even the children, who shook it to the chacha. ”We use only natural or recycled materials for our ti bwa, drums, flutes, and chacha—that’s important to us,” explains Jean-Claude Louis Sidney, president of the association.
A remarkable garden
These events also gave families the chance to discover or rediscover this exceptional site, which showcases the full biodiversity of Martinique across 23 hectares. It was an opportunity to appreciate nature’s bounty by strolling along one of the three hiking trails accessible to everyone, visiting the exploration pavilion, or exploring the medicinal plant greenhouse. It’s a place where you can breathe freely, far from the noise of the city, and where children can explore without fear.
A fun and educational event that allowed everyone to experience a magical moment at this magnificent site.
Kaylan Fagour
