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Calendar of events 2008

You are here : Calendar of events 2008

January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December

Calendar of events 2008

The most famous of all cultural festivals is undoubtedly the “Heiva i Tahiti”, a big traditional celebration. It runs for a month and includes the National Holiday of 14 July. Events over this period are sumptuous and are characterized by heated contests between the best artistic groups with singing, dancing and their costumes, not to mention the sports contest of canoe racing, fruit bearing, javelin throwing, copra preparation, stone lifting and weaving etc… The heart of the people is also to be found in the “Crafts Heiva” that runs concurrently with these events with exhibitions and demonstrations of all forms of craftwork from the five island groups together. Thematic exhibitions at the Tourism office (Fare Manihini) further enhance this cultural wealth.

The rest of the year is studded with various events devoted to handicrafts or horticulture(for instance, the famous « Tiare Day ») or culturel events, notably with the launch of « Ia Ora Day », celebrated once a month by tourism professionals, Tahitian people and our visitors. It celebrates Polynesian hospitality through local dress and flower distribution. Sports play a growing role with unsurpassed international fame in surfing and canoe racing in particular. Running is increasingly popular, as shown by the growth of various sports events or of simple raids and hikes.

January

NEW YEAR’S CELEBRATION THROUGH ALL THE ISLANDS.

• TAHITI "TERE FA’ATI" (13th January)
  
  • A big party day out by “truck” (traditional public transport) around the island of Tahiti, with stops for swimming, relaxing and discovering different tourist attractions along the way, as well as musical atmosphere and dance shows.
    Upon arrival on the peninsula a Tahitian meal will be awaiting the happy travellers. The King and Queen of the Tere Fa’ati will also be elected from amongst the group.
• INTERNATIONAL OCEANIAN DOCUMENTARY FILM FESTIVAL OF TAHITI - FIFO TAHITI 4th EDITION (30th January - 03rd February)
  
  • At the Cultural Center, Tahiti.

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February

• CHINESE NEW YEAR (07th February)
  • The French Polynesian Chinese community celebrates the New Year on the date given by the Chinese horoscope for the year (the Rat). The program of festivities begins with the official opening ceremony at the Papeete Town Hall and is followed by several events including the parade of the lion through all the neighboring shops. A cultural day is also organized where you discover all the magic of Chinese folk culture (song and dance, martial and culinary arts). To wind it all up, there is a lantern march through the city streets closes the celebration. 
• TAHITI - MOOREA MARATHON 20th EDITION (09th February)
  
  • Experts consider this marathon, which is held on the island of Moorea as one of the finest in the world with over 635 entrants from many nationalities. First Aid, refreshment and sponge stations located every 2,5 km and Tahitian music will be provided along the route and at the finish line.
    One full week of entertainment - arts and crafts, cultural activities, will enable the runners to relax and enjoy the magnificent setting.
• RAIATEA INTERNATIONAL BILLFISH TOURNAMENT
  
  • Second International deep-sea fishing comptetion.
  • Contact: raiateabillfish@mail.pf
    

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March

• THE COMING OF THE GOSPEL (5th March)
  
  • A commemorative celebration of the arrival in Tahiti of the first Protestant missionaries.
    
  • This year marks the 210th anniversary of the coming of the Gospel.
• TAHITI INTERNATIONAL BILLFISH TOURNATMENT” (24th - 29th March)
  
  • In Tahiti (Taina Marina, Punaauia), internatioanl deep-sea fishing competition preceding that of Raitea.
  • Contact: ribt@mail.pf / tiba@mail.pf 
• RAID OF THE PENINSULA (29th March).
  
  • In Tautira, Teahupoo.

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April

• 1ST TAHITI & HER ISLANDS TOURISM FAIR (17th - 19th April)
  • Toata Square, Papeete, Tahiti.
  • The theme for this first-time event is: "French Polynesia is 5 Times Better" because our objective is to promote and develop the tourism industry within each and every one of the five archipelagos.
  • The many expected exhibitors will present their products and sepcial offers from various tourism sectors.
    
• TRIAL AIR TAHITI NUI VON ZIPPER SURFING
  • Qualifying surf competition in Teahupoo (Tahiti), prior to the famous Billabong Pro that brings together foreign and local surf pros.
• TIFAIFAI EXHIBITION
  
  • At the city council of Papeete, Tahiti
• BILLABONG PRO SURFING
  • An international competition amongst the world's best surfers on Teahupoo's mythical wave in Tahiti.

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May

• THE LAND OF MEN MARATHON (11th  May)
  
  • A one-of-a-kind marathon in Hiva Oa, by its location, its atmosphere, the simplicity of the island’s people so dear to Jacques BREL and Paul GAUGUIN. In unblemished surroundings, Marquesan horsemen ride along the athletes.
• VA’A TEA ECO RACE (mid-May)
  
  • From Raiatea to Tahiti, a boat race honoring renewable energies in which boats powered by primary energy compete against boats powered by man-made fuel.
• TAHITI PEARL REGATTA 5th EDITION (08th - 12th May)
  
  • International regatta in the Leeward Islands starting from Raiatea (Uturoa) to Taha’a, Bora Bora and Huahine. On each leg, trophies are awarded to the winners of various categories and each days ends with a Polynesian dinner and a dance show.
• RAID MOOREA 5rd EDITION (25th May)
  
  • Individual or team races on Moorea.
    
  • 3 disciplines: Kayak (5 km), mountainbike (25 km) and running in the mountains (12 km).
• ARII MATA TINI RACE (31st May)
  
  • Individual outrigger canoe race in the Tuamotu archipelago, most notably in Rangiroa.
• FESTIVITIES OF THE PLEIADES "MATARII I RARO" (18th May)
  
  • End of the cycle or time of restriction, beginning og the dry period whe the land stops producing.

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June

• TAMA HITI RAU
  • Performances by the traditional dance schools at Vaiete Square in Papeete, and at the beginning of the Heiva Festival at To'ata Square.
• HEEMOANA RACE 6th EDITION (23rd June)
  
  • 56-km outrigger canoe race between the ocean passes of Teahupoo (Hava’e) and Punaauia (Taapuna), featuring local athletes and Pacific countries competitors.
• TAHITI - MOOREA SAILING RENDEZ-VOUS (27th - 28th June)
  • Sailing rally from the island of Tahiti (Taina Marina) towards the island of Moorea (Vaiare Bay). This voyage is meant to welcome and create a gathering of charter boat passengers, crews of the Transpacifique stopping-over in Polynesia, sailing fans from the islands, the local population as well as marine sport and tourism professionals.
• INTERNATIONAL GOLF OPEN (27th - 1st July).
  
  • At Atimaono on the Olivier Bréaud golf course in Mataiea, approximately 50 km from Papeete (Tahiti).

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 JULY

• HEIVA I TAHITI
  
  • The largest gathering of choral and dance groups takes place at To’ata Square in downtown Papeete in Tahiti. However,  in recent years the Heiva is also celebrated in other towns on the island (Mahina, Papara) and on some Leeward Islands (Bora Bora, Raiatea).
• HEIVA OF THE ARTISANS
  
  • A big crafts exhibition based around the theme of Polynesian legends that brings together all the artists from the four corners of French Polynesia. These men and women of amazing manual dexterity display their works of art for your viewing and tasting pleasure. In doing so, they stimulate future generations to take an active interest in developing these skills. A fine cultural mix revealing both the identity of the whole nation and their pride in it.
• TE AITO  VA'A (mid-July)
  
  • One-day individual outrigger canoe race over appr. 10 km. The best 100 rowers qualify for the « Super Aito » race.

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 AUGUST

• TE VAI ARI’I MARATHON OR « SUPER AITO » (mid-August)
  
  • Three-day individual outrigger canoe race featuring the best hundred rowers of the moment and of the “Te Aito” race, over distances of 5, 10, 15 and 20 km.

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SEPTEMBER

• TAAPUNA MASTER SURFING (11th - 28th September).
  
  • 6 days surf amateur competition Taapuna pass (Punaauia), featuring several disciplines and categories, weather permitting.
• RAID PAINAPO 7th EDITION (21st September)
  
  • Three-people-teams competition on Moorea.
    
  • This event is placed under the sign of discovery and environmental preservation.
• TAAPUNA PRO/AM SURFING 6th EDITION (29th September - 03rd October)
  
  • Surf competition in Taapuna pass, with the best amateur and professional surfers and body-boarders.
• WORLD TOURISM DAY (27th September)
  
  • In Tahiti and her Islands.

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October

• ROTUI’S TOUR 7th EDITION (27th October)
  
  • Foot race around the Rotui’s mount (Moorea) of 15 km.
• HAWAIKI NUI VA’A
  
  • In the Leeward Islands. Va’a (canoe racing) is the classic, traditional sport.
    
  • Over 100 canoes will race between the islands of Huahine, Raiatea, Taha’a and Bora Bora. Finishing point at Matira Point (Bora Bora).
    
  • Contact: ftvaa@ifrance.com
  • Website: www.hawaikinuivaa.pf
• MARQUESAS ISLANDS EXHIBITION
  • Sales exposition of crafts from the Marquesas Islands at To'ata Square in Papeete.
• AUSTRAL ISLANDS EXHIBITION
  • Sales exposition of crafts from the Austral Islands at the Assembly of Polynesia in Papeete.

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NOVEMBER

• THE LAND OF MEN MARATHON  
  • In the island of Ua Pou, Marquesas archipelago.
• TATTOONESIA
  
  • In Tahiti, a meeting of all Polynesian and foreign tattoo artists to share with visitors their designs, techniques and materials used in this ancestral art form.
• FESTIVITIES OF THE PLEIADES "MATARI'I I NI'A" (20th November)
  
  • In Tahiti, Moorea, Huahine, Raiatea, celebration of the return of abundance under the sign of the Pleiades.
  • Period when the produce of the earth and sea abound. 

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December

• TIARE DAYS (03rd - 06th December)
  
  • In Papeete, Tahiti.
  •  
• ROTUI GREEN TRIATHLON 6th EDITION (30th December)
  
  • On Moorea, trials organized in 3 disciplines: swimming (400 or 800 m), cycling (8 or 20 km) and running (4 or 6 km).
• CHRISTMAS AND ST SYLVESTER CELEBRATIONS
  
  • Throughout Tahiti and her Islands.

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 INFORMATION

• For more information on the following sporting events on Moorea
  
  • (Tahiti - Moorea Marathon, Raid Moorea, Raid Painapo, Rotui’s Tour and Rotui Green Triathlon), please contact: moorea@sjs.pf / www.sjs.pf
    
• For surf events (la Billabong Pro):
  • Contact: fedesurf@mail.pf / www.surf.pf
    
• For others events:
  • Contact: com@heivanui.pf

This calendar is for information purposes only and events may be subject to change.

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