Festival of Life - Biodiversity: Art Takes Center Stage
On May 23 and 24, 2025, the Festival of Life brought together artists, scientists, and citizens in Port-Louis to address a critical issue: biodiversity. Sponsored by the Rogers Group, Odysseo, and the House of Digital Art, this event raised awareness about our connection to living beings. Why is this important? Discover more with Le Dimanche/L’Hebdo.
Where science enlightens with facts, art disrupts, questions, and resonates. When these two realms intertwine, a genuine alchemy occurs. The Festival of Life, held on May 23 and 24 in Port-Louis, is a shining example: an event aimed at raising awareness about the biodiversity crisis, serving as a bridge between art and science, dialogue, knowledge, and experience, and it delivered on all its promises.
"We wanted it to provide a true awakening, regardless of the age or background of visitors. And I genuinely believe we met this challenge," enthusiastically shares Astrid Dalais, director of Move For Art and co-founder of the House of Digital Art. In her view, solutions exist. And it is art that powerfully brings them to light, reminding everyone that each person has a role to play.
Among the most memorable moments of the Festival of Life, Astrid Dalais, co-creator of the Porlwi festival, a pioneering initiative that has significantly impacted the island's cultural landscape, highlights the poetic power of the Living Conversations led by Jay Mootoosamy and Zilyen Biret, which shed light on the often-overlooked richness of plants and herbal teas. Another highlight was the reflection led by Anouchka Sooriamoorthy, whose philosophical approach profoundly resonated with her.
She also praises the inspiring participation of Meha Desai and Anne-Clotilde St Mart (Quiet Revolution), who emphasized how patient experimentation and long-term thinking are essential for transforming our practices. She mentions Victoria Fauve Desvaux from Joyful Ecologies, who encourages moving past the paralysis of anxiety in the face of global disasters to envision more desirable futures here and now. These are unique voices, both clear-sighted and hopeful. Another significant intervention came from Bruno Dubarry, focused on regeneration, revitalization of our soils, and preservation of our rivers – concrete paths to restore our connection to living beings.
Making Knowledge Accessible
However, raising awareness about the biodiversity crisis through art is not without challenges. Astrid Dalais recalls a chilling statistic: in 2023, six of the nine planetary boundaries had already been crossed, according to the Stockholm Resilience Centre. The erosion of biodiversity, which is irreversible, is one of the most alarming issues.
"About one million species are threatened with extinction worldwide every year, according to the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services. In Mauritius, 89% of endemic plants are currently at risk. Our coral reefs and marine life are declining alarmingly, even though the country has a vast maritime territory, a true treasure with social, cultural, economic, educational, and tourist benefits," she emphasizes. She adds gravely: "If the last bee were to disappear, humanity would likely have only four years left..."
So yes, science alerts us, but it often remains confined within academic circles. Art translates this knowledge into emotional, sensory language that is accessible to all. This is where its power lies to spark collective awareness, she explains. In ecosystems, everything is interconnected, and every species plays a crucial role. "By realizing this interdependence, our perspective on life shifts. Caring for the living is no longer optional; it has become a necessity."
Art possesses this unique ability to touch minds and hearts in a sensitive way. "By facilitating encounters among artists, scientists, NGOs, local communities, and citizens, we have generated narratives and experiences that reconciled dialogue, listening, observation, and know-how, while awakening a more intimate sensitivity," she explains.
The Festival of Life was two days of rare intensity: symposiums, artistic performances, storytelling, slam poetry, digital arts, BioLabs, and engaging discussions within the Village of Life. Nearly 50 speakers and organizations participated. "From Ebony Forest to the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation, from Terres d’Agroécologie to Sov Lanatir or Nature Yetu, visitors were able to discover a multitude of concrete initiatives to replicate at home or by actively supporting the organizations present."
Human and Regional Bridges
Astrid Dalais reports a "joyful and curious attendance." Hundreds of visitors of all ages showed up, eager to discover the treasures of Indian Ocean biodiversity, where everything is interconnected: forests, insects, corals, traditions, music, and skills...
Free and open to everyone, the festival succeeded in creating human and regional bridges, notably with the participation of the Reunionese collective "The Route of Plants, The Song of Forests." "The feedback we received from festival-goers speaks of great richness, a collective awakening, and above all, a strong desire to engage," she rejoices.
For Astrid Dalais, the message is clear: the living is within us, and we are within it. "It is urgent to remember this. Our biodiversity relies on a fragile balance. When a single link disappears, the whole chain wobbles." And in our island, surrounded by a nurturing ocean, this awareness is crucial. Especially since during the festival, a new alert was issued: that of ocean acidification – the seventh planetary boundary crossed.
Despite this alarming observation, she wants to believe in the power of collective action. "The artists, scientists, thinkers, and citizens present have helped us rethink our connections to nature, food, and our knowledge..." Because yes, small miracles are possible if we take care of biodiversity. And if other events of this magnitude emerge, then the seed sown by the Festival of Life will bear fruit.
"And if the Festival of Life can awaken both decision-makers and passersby in our streets, reviving the collective momentum to preserve our natural and cultural heritage, it will be an invaluable victory," concludes Astrid Dalais.
