PÏna’ina’i 06.16
PÏNA’iNA’I is one of Tahiti’s most creative theatrical shows rich with history and current political events told through oratory in the French and Tahitian languages accompanied by Tahitian dance choreography. Tahiti Dance Online focuses on this event.
Photo by Tui Hei
Pina’ina’i is a show that translates words to dance and music. The texts can be read but also danced and played. This is the sixth edition of the event created by the Littérama’ohi association. The objective is to promote local literature, by privileging a Polynesian point of view and to transmit to the younger generation and encourage them to write. A show that shows the wealth of contemporary Polynesian writing with dance choreography by Toakura co-leader Moana’ura Tehei’ura.
Photo by Tui Hei
This year on October 17, 2016 – The sixth edition of the literary show “Pina’ina’i” took take place in Papeete on the ‘paepae a Hiro’ platform inside the Maison de la Culture complex. The show’s theme was “The holes in our collective memory” highlighting the native Tahitian struggle for land, language and self-determination in the wake of French colonization and nuclear testing. The theme was created by Moana’ura Tehei’ura alongside author Chantal Spitz and various other local authors who intended to educate the Tahitian public on current political and historical issues. PÏNA’INA’I itself means to ‘resonate, reverberate or echo” which is absolutely fitting for this show that featured twelve authors, eleven speakers and 23 dancers re-enacting Tahitian history through powerful poetry and dance.
Photo by Tui Hei
The echoes of mind and body
Choreographer Moana’ura Tehei’ura’s point of view is that words are the echo of the minds and bodies that vibrate through texts, dances and music and states that “The texts deal with contemporary topics, so ‘ori Tahiti fits our time”. He continued: “This show is getting stronger, since we had a hundred spectators at the first edition to 700 in 2015.” Also, it should be noted that access is always free” so that the whole population can participate. In this literary show, there is no formal suits or costumes, everyone is dressed in white, gathered under the beautiful banyan on the ‘paepae a Hiro’ free to give life to the words as they wish …
Photos by Tui Hei featuring Poemoana Tahitian Dance Expert
Authors: Patrick Amaru, Flora Devatine, Ahuura Teamotuaitau, Heinarii Grand, Grand Moeava, Odile Purue, Iva, Goenda Reea Steve Reea, Chantal Spitz, Regina and Simone Grand Suen Ko. Speakers: Clothilde Grand, Grand Heinarii Joëlle Rocka, Matarua, Mauiino Maite Pani, Teura Opuu, Odile Purue, Goenda Reea, Chantal Spitz and Mareva Leu.
