Calendar of events 2010

January

TAHITI "TERE FA'ATI"

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.

"TERE AATI"

(January 04 - 15).
Cultural and historical event on Rurutu in the Austral Islands featuring a long walk through ancestral sites (marae, cliffs, etc.), to the three villages (Moerai, Avera and Auti) and a visit to various homes where guests receive this island's traditional greeting, a shower of thrown talcum powder.

7th INTERNATIONAL OCEANIAN DOCUMENTARY FILM FESTIVAL OF TAHITI - FIFO

(January 26 - 31).
Projections, training workshops, conferences, discussions and digital meetings at the Cultural Center.
info@fifotahiti.org / www.fifotahiti.org

February

22nd TAHITI - MOOREA MARATHON

(February 13).
Experts consider this marathon, which is held in Temae on the island of Moorea, as one of the finest in the world with over 635 entrants from many countries. First Aid, refreshment and sponge stations located every 2.5 km and Tahitian music will be provided along the different ways (42.21 and 3 km), and at the finish line. This event also offers participants and the public the opportunity to enjoy the island's exceptional setting.

CHINESE NEW YEAR

(February 14).
The French Polynesian Chinese community celebrates the beginning of the Year of the Tiger, according to the Chinese horoscope. The program of festivities begins with the official opening ceremony at the Kanti temple of Mamao and is followed by several events including the parade of the lion through all the neighboring shops and finishes with a ball at the Chinese Philanthropic hall. 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 to Vaiete Place where other animations have been organized.

3rd TAHITI & HER ISLANDS TOURISM FAIR

To'ata Square, Papeete, Tahiti.
The objective of this trade show 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 special offers from various tourism sectors.

MOOREA TERE FA'ATI

Along the same lines as the Tahiti island tour, this excursion presents the tourist sites Tahiti's sister island in a festive atmosphere, that includes the sounds of the ukulele.

March

MISSIONARIES DAY

(March 5).
A commemorative celebration of the 213th anniversary arrival in Tahiti of the first English Protestant missionaries on March 5, 1797.

RAIATEA INTERNATIONAL BILLFISH TOURNAMENT - RIBT

8th international deep-sea fishing competition.
raiateabillfish@mail.pf / www.go-tahiti.com

TAHITI INTERNATIONAL BULLFISH TOURNAMENT

(March 29 - April 03).
In Tahiti (Taina Marina, Punaauia), international deep-sea fishing competition preceding that of Raiatea.
emalmezac@satnui.pf

April

2nd "ARU'I HORO"

(April 10).
On Moorea, two night foot races in the Opunohu domain :
- 10 km for experienced runners
- 5 km for amateurs
(Be sure to wear a headlamp.)

FESTIVAL OF OCEANIC LEGENDS

Shows, workshops, animations, meetings at the "Maison de la Culture" Cultural Centre.

4th TAHITI "TAMURE" MARATHON

Toa'ata Square, Papeete, Tahiti.
Amateurs and professionals are invited to enrol in the Polynesian dance class, also called "ori Tahiti" for 5 hours.

May

AIR TAHITI NUI / VON ZIPPER TRIALS

Qualifying surf competition of Teahupoo at Tahiti's peninsula, prior to the famous Billabong Pro that brings together foreign and local surf pros.

7th TAHITI PEARL REGATTA

(May 12 -16).
The Tahiti Pearl Regatta or TPR has become the Polynesian Triangle's biggest yearly sailboat race after the 2008 edition's sponsorship by famous French sailor Olivier de KERSAUSON. The race is open to all types of sailboats for all nationalities and combines ocean courses with lagoon competitions, followed by friendly and festive evenings on "motu" or in major hotels. The regatta is organized for sailing among three Leeward Islands- Bora Bora, Tahaa and Raiatea.
tpr@mail.pf / www.tahitipearlregatta.org.pf/

BILLABONG PRO TAHITI

An international competition amongst the world's best surfers on Teahupoo's mythical waves of Tahiti's peninsula.

ARIIMATATINI RACE

(May 12 - 14).
Outrigger canoe race for single paddlers in the Tuamotu Archipelago, particularly at Rangiroa and in the same weekend, a village crafts exposition and sport and fishing competitions.

RANGIROA CHANNEL HOE

(May 14).
A 6 man outrigger race with 3 man changes from Rangiroa to Tikehau.

THE MATARI'I I RARO FESTIVAL

(May 18).
Cultural events related to the start of the cooler dry season when the land stops producing. This is when the sun's bright light hides Pleiades, a cluster of stars in the constellation Taurus, on the horizon during sunset time in Tahiti and Her Islands.

7th RAID MOOREA - EXOTIC ADVENTURES

(May 29).
Individual or team races of 3people (men, women or mixed), on Moorea. 3 disciplines: Mountain bike (20 km), running in the mountains (10 km) and kayak (5 km). A unique, exotic race in French Polynesia.

TIFAIFAI EXHIBITION

A Papeete City Hall exhibition of colourful patchwork sewn bed and cushion covers and wall hangings.

MARQUESAS ISLANDS EXHIBITION

Exhibition and sale of artisan creations from the Marquesas Islands in the French Polynesia Assembly's exhibit hall, Papeete.

June

5th TAHITI - MOOREA SAILING RENDEZ-VOUS

(June 18 - 20).
Designed as an interactive event between tourists, sailors and residents, these 3 days of festivities begins at the Papeete Harbor's Yacht Dock and continues with a sail to Moorea and a variety of local competitions on Tahiti's sister island, such as outrigger canoe races, javelin-throwing and fruit-carrier's races.
archipelagoes@mail.pf / www.portdepapeete.pf

HEIVA RIMA'I ARTISANS FESTIVAL

A big artisans exhibition using Polynesian legends as themes, bringing together artisans from French Polynesia's five archipelagos. These men and women of amazing manual dexterity display their creations for the delight of visitors, thereby encouraging future generations to take an active interest in developing these skills. An excellent cultural event revealing the Polynesian identity and the people's pride.

DANCE SCHOOLS HEIVA

Toa'ata Square, Papeete, Tahiti.
All the traditional dance schools of Tahiti, Moorea and other French Polynesian islands come together to produce their yearly show and their expertise in traditional-art (fire-dance, percussion-instrument). The artists, aged from 4 to 70 years old enjoy themselves to the fullest during all the performances.

TAHITI INTERNATIONAL GOLF OPEN

Played at the Olivier Bréaud International Golf Course in Atimaono, Mataiea, about 40 kilometers (25 miles) from Papeete, Tahiti. Some 50 golf professionals from Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia, the Cook Islands and various other South Pacific Islands participate.

HEEMOANA RACE

56-km (35-mile) outrigger canoe ocean race for French Polynesia and Pacific paddlers between the Hava'e coral reef pass off Teahupoo at Tahiti's peninsula and the Taapuna pass off Punaauia on Tahiti's west coast.

5th TAPUTAPUATEA FESTIVAL

(June 30 - July 03).
This event is named "Te Ana Pu Iva Fe'e Maohi Tere Moana", which means "the octopus' eight tentacles that glide in the ocean". It traces the history of Polynesian migrations and the uniting of South Pacific islands to Raiatea, the sacred island, by presenting various ceremonies and ancestral customs (dancing, singing, cooking, etc.).

July

HEIVA VA'A I TAHITI

Great outrigger canoe racing in Papeete Harbor and its channel featuring nearly 1,500 men and women paddlers, all dressed in traditional pareus and flower head crowns. These top athletes compete in the junior, senior and veteran categories in one-paddler, three-paddler, six-paddler and 16-paddler canoes.

128th HEIVA I TAHITI

The largest annual contest of traditional Polynesian singing and dancing groups will take place at To'Ata Square in downtown Papeete. Authentic or legendary themes inspired by the cultural heritage of a single island or a group of islands are presented as each group attempts to make the most of its heritage.

HEIVA TU'ARO MA'OHI

This contest of traditional sports allows athletes from French Polynesia's five archipelagos to display their agility in different athletic fields—coconut tree climbing, stone lifting, javelin throwing, outrigger sailing canoe races, etc. These competitions are held at Place Vai'ete in Papeete, in the Museum of Tahiti and Her Islands' gardens in Punaauia and off Venus Point in Mahina.

HEIVA I BORA BORA

(Begins in the week of the 26 June until the end of July).
Motoi Place in Vaitape.
info-bora-bora@mail.pf

TE AITO VA'A

One-day outrigger canoe race for individual paddlers over approximately 10 kms (6 miles). The best 100 paddlers qualify for the "Super Aito" race.

August

TE VAI ARI'I MARATHON: THE SUPER AITO VA'A

Three days of outrigger canoe races for individual paddlers featuring the Top 100 qualified paddlers from the "Te Aito" race. The Super Aito races cover distances of 5, 10, 15 and 20 kms (3, 6, 9 and 12 miles).

September

7th TAPS JUNIOR

(September 04 - 05).
Two days of juniors surfing competition of ages 16-18 at the Taapuna coral reef pass in Punaauia, Tahiti.

16th TAAPUNA MASTER SURFING

(September 09 - 26 in Waiting Period according to the weather).
Giant surf competitions for Open amateur over 4 days in the Taapuna coral reef pass, featuring several disciplines and categories.

9th RAID PAINAPO

(September 18).
On Moorea, a 20-km mountain race for three-person teams (men, women or mixed). This event is held as part of the Tourism Week program.

8th TAAPUNA PRO/AM SURFING

(September 27 - October 01 in Waiting Period).
Open Surf competition opposite the Taapuna coral reef pass over 2 days. Among the best local surfers/body boarders, open to professionals.

WORLD TOURISM DAY

(September 27).
In Tahiti and Her Islands.

October

19th HAWAIKI NUI VA'A

The traditional "va'a", or outrigger canoe, race of more than 100 canoes between the Leeward Islands of Huahine, Raiatea, Taha'a and Bora Bora. The finish line is off Matira Point, Bora Bora.
ftvaa@ifrance.com / www.hawaikinuivaa.pf

AUSTRAL ISLANDS EXHIBITION

(October 17 - November 08).
Exhibition and sale of artisan creations from the Austral Islands in the French Polynesia Assembly's exhibit hall, Papeete.

November

6th INTERNATIONAL TATTOO FESTIVAL - TATTOONESIA

(November 11 - 14).
In Papeete from 12am to 10pm, a manifestation of more than 60 master tattooists from Polynesia, the Pacific islands and Japan as well as dance shows, craft exhibitions, film projections, conferences, official competitions, Miss and Mister Tattoo election and many other cultural animations.
info@tattoonesia.com / www.tattoonesia.com

4th "MONOÏ HERE", WEEK OF MONOI

(November 17 - 20).
Exposition stands - sales, conferences, massages, demonstrations, film projections, documentaries, etc. at the "Maison de la Culture" Cultural Centre.
monoi.de.tahiti@mail.pf / www.monoi-institut.org

THE MATARI'I NI'A HARVEST TIME FESTIVAL

(November 20).
Cultural events on Tahiti, Moorea, Huahine and Raiatea leading up to Nov. 20, the day when Pleiades, a cluster of stars in the constellation Taurus, appears in the sky above Tahiti and Her Islands.

3rd TRAIL ROTUI

(November 20).
Individual running of 15 km in Opunohu Valley, one of Moorea's biggest valleys.

December

6th "HURA TAPAIRU"

(December 01 - 05).
Traditional Dance Competition at the "Maison de la Culture" Cultural Centre.

TIARE DAYS

(First week of December).
A special tribute to Tahiti's national emblem, the Tiare Tahiti flower, with competitive decorations at businesses and public places in Papeete.
gsft@mail.pf

MARQUESAS ISLANDS ART OBJECTS MINI-FESTIVAL MATAVAA ITI A TE TAMA ENATA NO FATU HIVA

In the island of Fatu Hiva.

For more information on the following sporting events on Moorea (Tahiti - Moorea Marathon, "Aru'i Horo", Raid Moorea, Raid Painapo and Trial Rotui, please contact :
info@mooreaevents.org / www.mooreaevents.org
For surfing events, contact : fedesurf@mail.pf / www.surf.pf

For outrigger competitions : ftvaa@mail.pf
For cultural events (Festival of Oceanic Legends, "Hura Tapairu") :
communication@maisondelaculture.pf / www.maisondelaculture.pf For others events, contact :
com@heivanui.pf

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