A flag for Saint Martin, at last!
The Collectivité of Saint-Martin officially launched, at a press conference on Wednesday, the process of designing a flag intended to represent the territory, its culture and its identity. The announcement was made by Valérie Damaseau, chair of the Collectivité’s culture committee, in the presence of President Louis Mussington and Third Vice-President Dominique Démocrite Louisy.
In many regions, as well as in most of France’s departments, the regional flag accompanies local people at official, sporting and cultural events.
Who has ever seen a Breton athlete on a podium without their ‘Gwenn ha du’, whose nine black and white stripes represent the four counties of Lower Brittany and the five counties of Upper Brittany? Whilst the Unity Flag symbolises both parts of the island, Sint Maarten also has its own flag. Saint-Martin is the only French territory, and the only island in the Caribbean, not to have an official flag. Whilst the tricolour remains the official symbol as a French territory, the Collectivité wishes to adopt a flag that reflects its culture and identity, thereby enhancing its visibility.
A symbol to affirm a unique identity
A territory shared since 1648 between France and the Netherlands, Saint-Martin is characterised by a shared history and cultural diversity that shape a unique identity. Having become an Overseas Collectivity in 2007, it enjoys enhanced institutional autonomy, yet has not, until now, adopted a unifying emblem. “The aim is to enable all Saint-Martinians to promote their identity through a dedicated flag,” emphasised Valérie Damaseau at the press conference. The project serves several objectives: to affirm this identity, to support the territory’s influence within its regional and international environment, and to strengthen the sense of belonging by involving the population in its design.
A participatory process open to all
The public will indeed be able to have their say on the future flag. The “My Saint-Martin Flag” project is based on a wide-ranging consultation, both within the territory and amongst Saint-Martinians living beyond our borders. Everyone must be able to identify with this future flag.
Everyone will be able to take part in public workshops, organised between 1 May and 30 June online or in person, to give their views and suggestions… (20 May in Quartier d’Orléans, 27 May in Grand Case, 3 June in Sandy Ground, 10 June in Marigot). A ‘World Café’ open to all is also planned. The information gathered will be used to draw up the terms of reference for the graphic design competition, open to professionals and amateurs between 1 August and 30 September. The wish is that these designs be created without the use of AI.
To ensure the smooth running of all these stages, a Steering Committee (COPIL) comprising elected representatives, representatives of neighbourhood councils and historians, as well as a Technical Committee (technicians and the Collectivité’s legal department), will be responsible for guidance and monitoring respectively. The Collectivité will also be supported by the Cartéum agency to ensure the consistency of the process and its communication. This participatory approach also has the advantage of reducing project costs, estimated at between €40,000 and €60,000, including communication, support and the prizes to be awarded for the best designs.
In October, the public will once again be consulted to give their views on the selected designs. The final decision will rest with the Territorial Council, which is expected to adopt the future flag before the end of the year.
Information on the various stages and how to enter the competition will be published on the dedicated social media channels (Facebook and Instagram): @MySaintMartinFlag.
