02 · GALLERY
Five frames.
Place To'atā sits on the Pape'ete waterfront, the ocean behind the audience, the volcanic spine of Tahiti Nui behind the stage. Heiva i Tahiti has run here every July since 1881, a 145-year-continuous competitive festival of 'ori Tahiti dance and hīmene chant. Troupes of 100+ performers compete each night. The Soirée des Lauréats (winners' night) is more rigorously judged and cheaper than the gala finale; locals consider these the real festival. The drumming carries up the valley behind. The audience knows every troupe by name.
Soirée des Lauréats (winners' night) is cheaper and harder-fought than the gala finale. Locals consider these the real festival.
One of the longest continuous cultural festivals in the Pacific, performed in a venue tuned by the trade wind.
Annual, three weeks in July. Competition nights (Wednesday through Saturday) are the most-rigorous. Daytime craft and food markets run alongside.
Annual three-week festival, July. Performances nightly from 19:30 to 23:30. Place To'atā itself hosts year-round programming for other Polynesian cultural events.
Fly Pape'ete (PPT). From the airport, 15 minutes by taxi to central Pape'ete. Place To'atā is on the harbour at the western end of the city, walking distance from the central market and ferry terminal.