Capitulation of Mauritius, 1810 1810 was a year of immense significance to Mauritius and Mauritians. The ongoing Anglo-French wars had not only helped a handful of merchant-adventurers to amass huge profits; the activities of the corsairs brought in their train people of diverse origins: traders and agents from neutral nations, captured seamen, dispossessed Indian Ocean travellers, so… Continue reading History & Heritage
Author: admin
‘Repiblik Zanimo’
Is it possible to separate art and politics? Is it possible to put aside the environment and the political events surrounding an artist’s career or work? In terms of comic strips and books, it seems obvious that the answer is negative. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the policy of « Zaïrianization » and the setting up… Continue reading ‘Repiblik Zanimo’
Companions of Misfortune
BOOK REVIEW Companions of Misfortune: Flinders and Friends at the Isle of France, 1803-1810 In 1803, Captain Matthew Flinders, returning from an important voyage of discovery, was imprisoned on the then French island of Mauritius. This book tells the story of his 6 ½ year exile and of the men and women there… Continue reading Companions of Misfortune
Chateau Labourdonnais
The Chateau Labourdonnais in Mapou has opened its doors to the public following nearly three years of renovation and now offers a fascinating glimpse of the world of the 19th century sugar planter. The château de Labourdonnais was built in 1858 by Christian Wiehe, an insightful man, whose numerous descendants still mostly live in Mauritius… Continue reading Chateau Labourdonnais
Malcolm de Chazal – Histoires Étranges…
NEW PUBLICATION: Malcolm de Chazal, Histoires Étranges suivi de Fabliaux de Colloques Magiques, Arma Artis (France), novembre 2010. A new book in French has just appeared about iconic Mauritian author and artist, Malcolm de Chazal. As this book is in French, we provide a summary of the content, also in that language. Présentation de Robert… Continue reading Malcolm de Chazal – Histoires Étranges…
Relics from 1810?
The Powder Mills Badges Radhakrishna Ramasawmy Following a stint of volunteer work with the Dutch archaeological team excavating at the Fort Frederik Hendrik in 1997 and 1999, Van Lanza (see tribute at the end of this article) and the author of this study went on to explore the possible route taken by the British army… Continue reading Relics from 1810?
Last Years of the Isle of France [1800-14]
Last Years of the Isle of France [1800-14] ‘YOU HAVE KEPT THE PORT AND YOU HAVE GIVEN BACK THE VOLCANO!’ This was French King Louis XVIII’s comment after the Congress of Vienna in 1815. 5 years previously, in 1810, British forces had conquered the French controlled Mascarene Islands in the southwest Indian Ocean. The… Continue reading Last Years of the Isle of France [1800-14]
L’Ile aux vacances
A charming book of poetry in French, published recently in Mauritius. *** THREE SAMPLE POEMS: clapotis, l’eau le soir, nage dans la piscine, le ciel, tapissé de noir, etoiles eveillées, ondines *** SILHOUETTES ROTONDES, CACHALOTS FLOTTANTS, L ILE AUX SERPENT, L’ILE RONDE. *** A L’OMBRE, 30 DEGRES, FORTE HUMIDITE, CADEAUX EPARPILLES PELE-MELE C’EST NOEL!… Continue reading L’Ile aux vacances
Barakpur, near Kolkata, India
There is a Greek-style classical building in India which, as long as it stands, will serve as a tangible link to Mauritius. Originally built to serve as a mausoleum, the building is at Barakpur, about 13 miles from Kolkata. Barakpur Cenotaph with sepoy guards The building has been known by several names: Minto’s Memorial Hall… Continue reading Barakpur, near Kolkata, India
Taekwondo : Charlene Mongelard
Charlene Mongelard, who is well-known in the Taekwondo community in the UK, has won so many championships and competitions that her room at home is packed with trophies, shields and medals. Charlene started practising Taekwondo as soon as she was able to walk; her father, who was also her coach, trained her from a very… Continue reading Taekwondo : Charlene Mongelard