This summer I was invited by my friends from Ile-du-Monde, a UNESCO accredited team, to visit French Polynesia and document its traditional sport events. This is the second time I follow Ile-du-Monde, first time was in 2019 for Guadeloupe.
French Polynesia has a long history that started with the East migrations of Taiwanese people ca. 3,000 years ago. Aboard large wood catamarans called Va’a in Tahitian, that literally means «displacement in time», families and clans sailed across New Zealand and colonized every land across the Big Moana, what we call today Pacific Ocean, from French Polynesia up to Hawaii.
With a bit less romantic trip, my displacement in time from Zurich up to San Francisco and down to Tahiti took only 20 hours, I joined my friends in Papeete.
This voyage has been a great opportunity to document the Intangible Cultural Heritage of the finest Polynesian traditions, such as stone lifting and fruit carrying at the Tuaro Maohi competitions.
Or to picture every kind of surfing style at Teahupo‘o village, where French Olympic surf competitions will open in 2024;
or to enjoy Heiva dances in Papeete, inland exploration across Moorea and gorgeous snorkeling through Huahine coral reefs.Out of 13,000 shots and several hours of filming, here starts a selected photo-series on this adventure, focused on beauty and kindness of French Polynesia and its inhabitants.
Each Wednesday, Friday and Sunday the following episodes will be published and links will be active after 11AM CEST of the scheduled date:
– September 2023-
French Polynesia: My displacement in time – from 6.9.23
1. Dots in the ocean – from 8.9.23
2. With wet ankles in Big Moana – from 10.9.23
3. Would you mind bringing the fruit? Be quick! – from 13.9.23
4. Coconut split – from 15.9.23
5. Moana’s ritual – from 17.9.23
6. On the road to the Rock of Displacement – from 20.9.23
7. A dangerous hug – from 22.9.23
8. It’s war! – from 24.9.23
9. Heiva nights: dancing the myth- from 27.9.23
10. Catch the fight – from 29.9.23
– October 2023-
11. Another portion of fruit, quick! – from 1.10.23
12. Lift it if you can – from 4.10.23
13. Keep Moorea always in your mind – from 6.10.23
14. Allons enfants de la Patrie a Tahiti! – from 8.10.23
15. Return to the Spear Age – from 11.10.23
16. What’s on in Papeete – from 13.10.23
17. Teahupo‘o, surf for the gold medal – from 15.10.23
18. Papeete open air – from 18.10.23
19. Heiva nights: back to the origins – from 20.10.23
20. Va’a: the displacement in time – from 22.10.23
21. Va’a: the competition – from 25.10.23
22. Heiva nights: across time – from 27.10.23
23. Heiva champions – from 29.10.23
– November 2023 –
24. Don’t wake up Te Fiti – from 1.11.23
25. Sharks ahead! – from 3.11.23
26. Na na Huahine – from 5.11.23
