The opening took place in the Francisco Prat Puig Center and was in charge of the Oriente University. The creation of this cathedra represents a highlight in the more than 30 years of scholar and scientific exchange between France and Cuba.

Jean Lamore, professor emeritus of the Bordeaux University in France and honorary president of the cathedra, stated that this is a tool to bring together the work of Cuban, Caribbean, French-Canadian and European researchers enthusiastic about this subject.

Lamore expressed the interest of scholars in analyzing the imprint of the French civilization which spread through the diaspora of the coffee growers who came to eastern Cuba after the Haitian Revolution.

The cathedra has nearly 80 members, among specialists and French descendents, who will exchange with cultural and scientific institutions, both foreign and domestic.

María Elena Orozco, permanent professor and president of the cathedra on the Cuban side, pointed out that gathering researchers allows rescuing information, testimonies and documents. She said that teamwork was also necessary to debate the ideas of a subject highly implicated in the conformation of Cuban nationality.

In Santiago de Cuba there is a strong French cultural heritage, represented by the French-Haitian coffee plantations, such as La Isabelica, or the neighbourhood of El Tívoli, among others.