December 17, 2025 was a great day for all lovers of Guadeloupean quadrille.
Indeed, French Minister of Culture Rachida Dati welcomed a delegation to the Ministry of Culture in Paris that included Chantal Loïal (dancer), Nita Alphonso (female quadrille commander), Isabelle Calabre (writer), and members of the Madi et Kéra association dressed in Creole costume to present them with the certificate of registration of this dance, born in the 18th century, in the National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Les quadrilles créoles de Guadeloupe
It is an important step for the inclusion of the quadrille de Guadeloupe on the list of UNESCO’s Intangible World Heritage.
This celebration ended with a quadrille demonstration.
This is the result of an initiative that began in 2016 with a show entitled “Cercle égal demi-cercle au carré” (Circle Equals Half Circle Squared). Seven years ago, Guadeloupean dancer Chantal Loïal and her dance troupe “Difé Kako”, based in mainland France, were visiting our archipelago. On April 21, 2018, at the La Ramée House in Sainte-Rose, a large audience had the honor of discovering part of the work already done to gain recognition for the quadrille. We invite you to (re)read our richly illustrated report.
