Fèt Kaf - Pierre Marchal (2023) - To what extent can a memorial event be a unifying tool in a population?

Extract

[...] All day long, we can hear songs and concerts, observe women dancing Maloya, a local dance, or even engage in activities, organized in every municipal Let's dig in, shall we? So, on the figure we see a great diversity of people: men, women, adults, children, elders. In the foreground there is a woman who seems to be dancing. They are wearing clothes with traditional patterns. What's interesting is that the design is similar to African ones. These similarities remind us of the island's various influences and its multicultural background. [...]

[...] Furthermore, and that's why I use the term "tool" in my question, a memorial event can be used by a political power in order to improve its image. Thus, the "Fèt Kaf" became a Holiday in 1983. Thanks to that, people are fully allowed to live this journey with their loved ones and be together, contributing to the unification process. This could be seen as an official sign of recognition by the French Government of its fundamental and cultural meaning but also a way of trying to appear closer to its overseas nationals by emphasizing the situation. [...]

[...] To this extent we can fully understand the signification a day like that could represent for the inhabitants. After analyzing the background, I'm pretty sure this was photographed in the capital city, Saint-Denis. To be more explicit, on Avenue de la Victoire, a meaningful name. Everyone seems to be happy and enjoy themselves (well, apart from that lady in the background on the right, but not everyone is perfect). Personally, as I lived here and have participated to it, I'm always emotional, remembering the enjoyment and euphoria this day meant. [...]

[...] To conclude, this image, although it allowed me to defend the idea that memorial celebrations are a wonderful and pacifist way of banding together a population unlike other tools such as war, we must pay attention to situations where it holds a different symbol depending on whom you ask. Plus, it can sometimes be instrumentalized by a government for improving its status or calming independence revendication. On a more global touch, I think making the effort each day to take into account every sensibility, be open-minded and tolerant is the most rewarding feeling of the world when you realize this allows you to connect with one another. Thank you for having me, and I would be delighted to answer any questions. [...]

[...] Then, this event, and especially the emotional aspects that come with it, raises, in my opinion, one central question: To what extent can a memorial event be a unifying tool in a population? Answer: Well, now that I have said this, let me explain it a little bit further. Firstly, Reunion Island is a land of crossbreeding. In consequence, this celebration is a wonderful opportunity for each ethnic group, from what we called the "Cafres" to the "Yabs" via the "Malbars," "Chinese," and even me, a "z'oreille" to reassemble. [...]