Our association Presentation
The Shackles of Memory Association
The Shackles of Memory Association (Les Anneaux de la Mémoire in French-speaking countries) is a non-profit association registered under the Law on Associations of 1901. It aims at bringing closer to the general public the history of the slave trade, slavery and their modern consequences, in order to promote new partnerships on a fair and respectful basis, between the societies of Africa, the Americas and Europe.
For more information in English and Catalan please visit our Wikipédia page.
It is also dedicated to studying and bringing a new light on some elements in the history of various towns and regions from all around the world. It first directed its attention to the city and region of Nantes (France) and its historical link to slavery.
The Association is also active at an international level by providing support to anyone interested in doing research and projects on those dark chapters of human history.
Shared values of liberty, respect, equality and solidarity and a concern for scientific accuracy in its understanding of historical, social and economic factors are core principles that underpin the Association's work and projects.
The Shackles of Memory Exhibition 1992, a historic exhibition
In the 15th century, a huge traffic was set up between Europe, Africa and the Americas. For a period of nearly 400 years, millions of men were taken away from Africa and transported down in ships' holds, like commodities, all the way across the Atlantic to America. In the 18th century Nantes was one of the major slave ports in Europe.
It was for this reason, and in order to come to terms with this chapter of history and spread awareness, that the Shackles of Memory Exhibition -- the largest international exhibition about the slave trade in this period -- was organized. Its goal was to trace back the history of the Transatlantic slave trade such as it was operated by Europeans from the 15th to the 19th centuries. It was presented at the Château des Ducs de Bretagne in Nantes, from December 1992 through May 1994 and attracted over 400 000 visitors.
Today, this exhibition is no longer presented to the public. We have created a virtual exhibition online, which you will soon be able to visit in the Resource Center of the Alliance.
