Marquesas honored by state

Although adverse weather conditions caused the suspension of the Olympic surfing competition in Te Hupoo this Monday afternoon, it did not dampen the Marquesa enthusiasm that evening in the gardens of the High Commission. The rain even stopped as the band Te toa vii Fenua danced for the 400 guests in attendance. We met President Motai Blazeson, as well as his predecessor Edward Fritsch, three deputies including the young Marquis Moerani Freiba, and former Minister of Culture Eremoana Mamatuahutapu, or more cautiously, Elian Te Wahitua. Everyone was happy to see the success of a document that the country and governments have supported for 30 years.

In fact, it was at the initiative of the State that a ceremony was organized to celebrate the inclusion of the Marquesas Islands in the World Heritage List. By a coincidence of calendar events, the decision was made just hours before the start of the Teahupo’o surfing competition. “Two things that only happen once in a century”High Commissioner Eric Spitz in his speech stressed the welcome of the six Hakaikis, who were accompanied by Ministers Theveni Tej and Ronny Tripaya, just as they were in India.

Next to him was Marie Guévenoux, the ministerial delegate for overseas territories, who was then serving as spokesperson for the President of the Republic. “From 2021, he made this commitment and said to me, ‘I want you to celebrate this event with the Marquesans and honor Polynesia and the Marquesans in the way they deserve'”she says.

Macron, who was particularly welcome in the Marquesas just three years ago, even strongly suggested that he go to the Marquesas. But the schedule did not allow it, because the six Hakaikis were in New Delhi to defend the candidacy of the Marquesas family. "We will make sure the Marquesans come to the High Commission," Eric Spitz then promised him, and he kept his promise.

Stay away from the inscription “Our Church Quarrel”

Benoît Kautai, president of the Marquesan (Codim) community, was deeply moved, as were the five Hakaiki people who surrounded him. He paid special tribute with a tightness in his throat.To our hakaiki Ro’o Lucien (Lucien Kimitete, ed.), who in 1996 requested the registration of the Marquesas project at UNESCO”Six Marquesa mayors, along with national and state authorities, held a sacrificial ceremony, “vae tukia”.

In response, Minister Marie Guiverno gave each of them a snack belt. “historical” Everyone stressed that this was a far cry from the concerns of Oscar Temaru, who a week ago held a press conference to voice his concerns about state control over Marquesa Heritage. “

The vast majority of people do not share this fear”, which also disturbs Moetai Brotherson, who now hears “Organize things so that the UNESCO experience is not seen as a trauma but as something positive”For Ua Pou Mayor Joseph Kaiha, former Minister of Culture in the 2006 Temaru government, the words mean much more than ‘All our little quarrels’. “That to me is really despicable, it means we really are ignorant of the information about protecting the culture and the nature of our people”he added.

Clearly, communication efforts must continue in order to dispel any remaining doubts and the sites must be managed according to visitor flows in order to rationally develop them, which should be the logical consequence of inscription as a World Heritage Site of Humanity.