There are several associations to promote Indian culture in Guadeloupe. These associations, run by mostly people of Indian origin, are fairly active in organising cultural activities in all the principal towns, namely, Pointe-a-Pitre, Le Moule, Port-Louis, Capesterre-Belle-Eau and Saint-Claude. One such prominent group is ‘Association Culturelle Guadeloupeenne des Armis de L’Inde’, which has over 300 members and 2000 associates.
Cultural troupes sponsored by ICCR have also been visiting Guadeloupe to enable the locals to have a glimpse of Indian cultural heritage. A 10-member Mohiniattam dance troupe led by Dr. Kanak Rele and sponsored by ICCR visited Guadeloupe in 1999.
A Festival of Women and Cinema with India as the theme was organised in Guadeloupe in 1997. This also coincided with workshops on Indian cuisine and exhibition and sale of Indian art objects. At the initiative of the Depute of Guadeloupe, Mr. Ernest Moutoussamy, a photographic exhibition on the theme ‘The World of Tomorrow & Gandhi’s Vision’ was organised in January 1997. A Festival of Indian films to be organised in Guadeloupe under the Cultural Exchange Programme has been pending consideration in the Directorate of Films Festivals, New Delhi.
The city of Basse-terre in Guadeloupe and Pondicherry have been designated as twin cities to promote cultural links and exchanges.
Recently, 152nd birthday of the arrival of the Hindus Tamil in Guadeloupe was held. The Indian Associations in the territory are in the process of forming a committee, which will start working to realise the event.
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