FLIGHT TO TAHITI

For the fourth consecutive year, all the different tarava (a Tahitian musical style) will be represented, including those from the Marquesas and Tuamotu Islands. Each island tribe will come to defend their vocal heritage with choirs of up to 300 singers. You will be guaranteed some real thrills listening to Polynesian Polyphonic songs. For the first time, the islands of the archipelago will come to defend their songs, which vary from island to island. The concert will be preceded by workshops so you can discover the stories behind each of these songs, and of course the song common to all the islands is sung at the end of the evening. It's a delightful event which values ​​a traditional art that's as rich and varied as it is little known.

In French Polynesia, canoes replace racing cars! The Leeward Islands host the 28th Hawaiki Nui Va'a, the largest competition of its kind. But don't expect to see simple wooden rafts: aluminium racing canoes are more Formula 1 style than traditional boats! To win the race however, it's always the same story: the team will need to have the strongest arms and best rhythm, synchronising their movements in order to cross the finish line first...<br/>

Tattoos, or tatau in Polynesian, are a real art form. In the Tahitian archipelago, history is inked on skin. Come and learn all about this ancestral art at this tattoo convention. Around 50 Tahitian and international tattoo artists will be present. This event helps promote traditional tattoos in Tahiti and throughout the world: it helps give more weight to this skin-deep art which is a way of telling personal stories. Whether it's to reconnect with your ancestors or preserve a little memento of a certain moment, tattoos can be a lot more than a stylish form of self decoration.

Tahiti's best known symbol and it's finest ornament, the tiare (Tahitian gardenia) is a tropical bush which is immediately identifiable with its beautiful white flowers with six petals. These flowers are used to make monoi, the Tahitian scented oil, but they are also used in the flower garlands that are so symbolic of Tahiti. On this special day, flower garlands will decorate (even more than usual) the institutions of Papeete, while a competition will reward the most beautiful flower crowns.

An annual event that's been going for over ten years, Hura Tapairu has been a platform for the best dance troupes of Tahiti to perform. In traditional costume, the artists will compete in different categories to win a prize offered by the bank of Polynesia. Whether they perform aparima, otea or tamure, the most famous Tahitian dance, the dancers must be agile and elegant, moving rhythmically with their tribal tattoos, loincloths, tiaras and flower garlands... A lovely experience and a wonderful glimpse of Tahitian culture. <br/>

The Marquesas Islands unite in order to celebrate their traditions and their art. This Marquesas Islands Arts Festival, (or Matavaa o te Fenua Enata) in Marquisian, takes place every four years. A smaller version of the festival is held twice a year. Discover the wealth of art and culture from the Marquesas Islands, preserved by the association Motu Haka o te Fenua Enata since it was founded in 1978.
You can watch local dances, as well as shows and other festivities. You can also see some of the various local art forms such as tattoo art, singing, sports and sculpture.