Under the aegis of the Ministry of Culture, we invite you to a new edition of Heiva i Tahiti which promises to be special and memorable in every way.
First of all, it marks the return of the country’s traditional song and dance groups to the mythical stage of To’atä. A moment awaited by all, artists and spectators, who during these long months of cultural disruption have suffered from not being able to express and live their love for their culture.
It is also a very symbolic moment, as it is the 140th anniversary of this popular event, the oldest in the Pacific region.
For this occasion, no competition, but a festival, a celebration, a meeting under the sign of impatience and intensity, of unity. This is the spirit of the theme, Tahiti ti’a mai, named after an ‘aparima by Coco Hotahota: a message that encourages us to move forward, to live our culture and to keep our traditions alive despite the vagaries of the moment.
Such momentum, such stakes, could not however be limited to the To’atä stage alone.
This festival also has the ambition to be exported and spread, to go and meet the population even in our most distant towns.
All the cultural establishments of the Country have also united their efforts, their means, their archives and their energy to offer you beautiful encounters. Beyond the songs and dances, which will take place in the cities of Faa’a, Mahina, Teva i uta, Punaauia and Paea, an exhibition organised at the Museum of Tahiti and her Islands traces 140 years of festivities. At the same time, a photographic exhibition will take place in Papeete, which hosted the Tiurai and then the Heiva.
The public also has an appointment with Tüa’ro mä’ohi, fire walking, Heiva va’a, Heiva rima’i, and the horse races will be part of the event again this year…
For more than a month, the Tahiti ti’a mai Festival will come to meet you. For more than a month, vibrate to the sound of our traditional instruments, immerse yourself in 140 years of our cultural history, and experience a unique moment around our culture.
More than ever this year, let’s celebrate together the beauty and uniqueness of our Heiva i Tahiti.