Events in La Réunion

Events in La Réunion

This article deals with the different events that you could take part or observe in La Réunion. Obviously, there are to many events to describe all of them just in one writing, because of what here is presented the most famous events and celebrations.

First you have to know that the Réunion Island belongs to France and because of what we celebrate roughly the same things: like for example the 14^th July (The Bastille Day) is celebrated like in France with procession of different players of our Republic. Futhermore the religious celebration is like in France too but with some pecularities and all the more when we know that around ten very dictinct religions (and origins too) are represented in our island and all of live peacefully: a real proof of love I would say.

So, let’s beginn with events that everyone know and that is celebrated originally:

• Christmas and the New Year’s Eve

We celebrate both like everywhere, I mean a familly christmas with a christmas tree, the Santa Claus with a lot of present for the children etc. But when is midnight there are a lot of fireworks everywhere, this is quite noisy but beautiful to see. During this period we can see many market stall in the street which sell fireworks and this is how you can do your own firework for christmas and for the new year’s eve.

• The Chinese and Indian New Year

• The New Year is also on the 1^st January but not for the Chinese and the Indian community. The Chinese new year take place around the 28^th January and during this day we could observe in few street people who are dressed up like Dragons and dance and futhermore and we can hear a lot of firecrakers: it’s purify according to the chinese myth.   

For the Indian the new year takes place on the 14^th April and during this we can see multicoloured float with many status of Indian gods. Indian music come also with the parade.

Let us also continue with some religious events that you will certainly see if you are going to come to Réunion Island.

• Indian ceremonies

If you suddently hear drumbeats, no panic, it’s probably just a procession for a Indian ceremony. And if you are curious and want absolutly to see what is going on, you will also see people barefoot with often needle in the skin: sign of penance. In the same style they walk on the fire too. You could see it if you find a good Indian who bring you to a ceremony like that. I personnly can’t really admire that, I’m probably to fragile.

There is the “Dipavali” too, it’s the celebration of lights. It takes place in November and from around 6:00 PM onwards we can see a lot of floats with lighters in the night. It was first an Indian celebration but it had been democratized.

• Other religious events

There are other events like the Aïd el Kebir or events for different saints but they aren’t really demonstrative.

Finally there are events too that come from our history.

• The obolition of slavery

On the 20^th December is celebrated the abolition of slavery. In every town there are a place where many animation take place. For example there are old music from La Réunion, then is showed how lived our ancestor and the slaves, their jobs, what they had and ate etc. It’s also really interesting. Moreover in few places there are people who show us what was played before and how was danced etc.

There are also more events in La Réunion And they are representative of our island. Also come let’s enjoy to different events !