The exhibition of 53 busts of former African captives at the Château de Blois provokes a profound reflection on the complex history of the slave trade and slavery of the 19th century. These sculptures, long relegated to the shadows of the château’s reserves, are now brought to light thanks to the meticulous work of historian Klara Boyer-Rossol.
Over the course of six years of relentless research, Klara Boyer-Rossol has shed light on the fascinating and tragic history of these African captives, whose cast faces bear witness to the painful past of slavery. This collection, dormant for nearly 80 years, is now an integral part of collective memory and reflection on past injustices.
The exhibition of these busts is a powerful reminder of the need to confront our sometimes dark history and to recognize the suffering inflicted on millions of human beings in the name of trade and exploitation. These faces frozen in time remind us of the barbarity of slavery practices and the importance of not forgetting the lessons of the past.
By allowing the public to discover these busts, the Château de Blois opens a window on a little-known part of our history, inviting everyone to reflect on the consequences of these inhuman practices and to nourish a reflection on the issues of memory and transmission. These images question us on our collective responsibility to keep alive the memory of the victims of slavery and to work so that such horrors do not happen again.
In short, this exhibition at the Château de Blois reminds us that our duty of remembrance cannot be limited to passive commemoration. It pushes us to action, reflection and education to build a fairer and more enlightened future, by learning the lessons of the past to build a better world for future generations.