It’s another beautiful exhibition* to which we are invited until the end of December by Philippe Peretti, Deputy Mayor of Bastia, Heritage Delegate, Sylvain Gregori, Curator of the City Museum and his entire team. The title? : “ Mare Furioso, Pirates and corsairs in the Mediterranean (16th-19th centuries) ».
« A natural and centuries-old crossroads between East and West, the Mediterranean Sea plays a considerable role explains Philippe Peretti. ” A communication route made up of innumerable maritime routes allowing not only the circulation of men and goods throughout the Our seabut also giving access to Northern Europe and other continents ».
A sea dedicated to fishing vessels and merchant ships but also criss-crossed by pirates, buccaneers and other corsairs attracted by the wealth transported.
« The economic preponderance of the Mediterranean in the Modern Age explains why this sea became a stake between the powers of the moment who would confront each other there, in particular through piracy and privateering. says Sylvain Gregori. ” If the coastal and island societies are among the first victims of these phenomena, they are also those which produce the greatest number of pirates and corsairs for three centuries. ».
In the 16th century the Mediterranean was also the scene of maritime confrontations between Christian and Muslim powers.
It is this fascinating history of the Mediterranean and the place of Corsica in it that is told to us on two floors at the Bastia Museum. A history in paintings by masters, models, weapons, treasure chests, maps, books and manuscript documents… The space of the visit we like to hear in ourselves the sound of the waves, the flapping of the sails, the roar of the cannons, the cries of the pirates during the merciless boardings, the clash of the blades of sabers and swords which cross, the ringing and stumbling gold coins that are stirred in the chests… We also savor the calm, the appeasement in front of the paintings by Titian and other masters of this period or even in front of nautical charts and maritime registers and other period documents… So many documents and objects collected for the occasion from around thirty institutional lenders: 7 abroad, 23 in mainland France. ” This gives a very global approach to piracy and privateering, with themes that speak to the general public. says Sylvain Gregori.
So, ready for the adventure? Boarding!
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* Exhibition curator
Anne Brogini: Professor of Modern History at the University Côte d’Azur, Center for Modern and Contemporary Mediterranean of the University of Côte d’Azur (EA-1193)
Sylvain Gregori: Curator of the Bastia Museum, doctor of history, associate researcher at the Center for Modern and Contemporary Mediterranean of the University of Côte d’Azur (EA-1193)
Audrey Giuliani: Head of temporary exhibitions and publications at the Bastia Museum
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