A collective work pays tribute to Professor Lucile Rabearimanana, a major figure in the contemporary history of Madagascar, through the contributions of a dozen historians and former students.
Transmitting the memory of Madagascar also means paying tribute to those who dedicate their lives to studying it. Presented on Saturday at the Andafiavaratra Palace, the collective work Madama L’historienne. Hommage au professeur Lucile Rabearimanana celebrates the career of this major figure in Malagasy contemporary history. The result of the work of a dozen historians and former students, including Lalasoa Jeannot Rasoloarison, Denis Alexandre Lahiniriko, Linda Nicole Nome-Nanahary, and Asinome Elysé, it brings together research that testifies to the professor’s contribution to the knowledge of Madagascar’s history and the training of several generations of historians.
According to Lalasoa Jeannot Rasoloarison, a historian and teacher-researcher in contemporary history at the Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences of the University of Antananarivo, “This publication brings together articles and research results from the work of students and historians who have collaborated with her. The approach is intended as a testimony of recognition towards a teacher-researcher whose work has contributed to deepening the knowledge of history.”
One of Lucile Rabearimanana’s main contributions lies in the development of research on Madagascar during the colonial period and after independence. She is among the founding figures of contemporary history in the country, which focuses in particular on the events and transformations that have occurred since the Second World War. Her research focuses on the political, economic, social, and cultural dimensions of this period, with particular attention to regional history and multidisciplinary approaches.
A State Doctor in Letters and Human Sciences, full professor, and titular member of the Malagasy Academy, Lucile Rabearimanana has also contributed to the study of the opinion press, Malagasy nationalism, and decolonization. Her work is not limited to the 1947 insurrection but also sheds light on the evolution of Malagasy society and the political foundations of the country after the Second World War.
The contributions gathered in the book extend this scientific approach. They address different facets of Madagascar’s contemporary history, notably economic and social realities, cultural transformations, and political developments. This diversity testifies to the professor’s influence on the research conducted by the students and historians she has mentored.
For Lalasoa Jeannot Rasoloarison, this tribute is all the more meaningful because it is paid to a personality who is still alive. It allows for the recognition of her career, her research, and her role in university education. The presentation of the book thus constitutes an opportunity to highlight her scientific contribution through the work of those who continue historical research.
Beyond individual recognition, this initiative reminds us of the importance of preserving and transmitting collective memory. As a historian who took part in the reflection points out, forgetting one’s history amounts to losing a part of one’s identity and no longer knowing the path to follow for a country’s future.
Captured & Published at: 2026-10-26 06:09:00 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/10/ouvrage-lucile-rabearimanana-appreciee.html