Rachele Bhoyroo, Co-Founder of the Festival of Life: "Life is not something else, it is us"
Rachele Bhoyroo, co-founder of the Festival of Life, has been collaborating with the House of Digital Art since its inception. With over ten years of commitment to environmental issues, social justice, and human rights, she uses her communication skills for impactful projects. In this interview with Le Dimanche/L’Hebdo, she reflects on the profound meaning of this festival.
What motivated you to create the Festival of Life?
We are currently experiencing the sixth mass extinction. Seven out of nine planetary boundaries have been crossed, threatening the very conditions for life on Earth. Yet, biodiversity loss remains largely overlooked and is absent from political, economic, and societal priorities. It impacts our food, health, economy, and culture.
The Festival of Life was born from this urgency; it provided a sensitive and enlightening space, far from denial, to rethink the collapse of life differently. Its strength lay in an interdisciplinary approach, blending science, artistic creation, and citizen knowledge as an invitation to see, understand, and act to preserve life.
What were its main objectives?
The goal was to raise awareness about the collapse of life, but also to break down silos between disciplines and foster dialogue among science, art, and civic engagement. We also aimed to highlight local initiatives protecting biodiversity and create a space for listening, sharing, and collective imagination.
In today's context, how important is such an event?
It is vital because it is still challenging to have honest and accessible conversations about biodiversity loss. In the face of urgency, people may feel powerless. This festival offered an alternative narrative focused on sharing, beauty, and the possibility of acting together.
What impact did you hope it would have on the public?
We wanted it to evoke emotions, spark questions, and create connections. Most importantly, we wanted everyone to leave with an idea, a desire, a new encounter, and a seed to nurture.
How do you define biodiversity and why is it essential for our country?
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), biodiversity encompasses the variety of life forms, including genes, species, and ecosystems. It is the foundation of our societies. It regulates the climate, purifies water, nourishes our crops, and houses our collective memory. In Mauritius, its preservation is a vital issue.
Why is it important to recognize that every form of life plays a role in ecosystems and that everything is interconnected?
It is important because the balance of life depends on complex interactions. Nothing is isolated. Removing a link weakens the entire ecosystem and, by extension, our own living conditions.
What is the current state of Mauritian biodiversity?
Mauritius has an exceptional endemic biodiversity, but it is among the most threatened in the world. Many species have already disappeared while others are in great danger. Additionally, coastal, marine, and terrestrial ecosystems are under constant pressure, affecting the lives of many Mauritians and various social and economic activities.
What disruptions threaten it the most today?
There are many. Examples include land artificialization, rapid urbanization, deforestation, pollution, excessive pesticide use, overfishing, climate change, and economic development models that do not address their impacts on our natural ecosystems.
What risks do we face if we do not take measures to protect our biodiversity?
The loss of species and ecosystems will reduce our ability to feed ourselves, to heal, and to withstand natural disasters. Life is not "something else"; it is us!
What is the necessity of widespread awareness?
No single actor can tackle this challenge alone. It requires policies, but also informed citizens, mobilized youth, engaged artists, and responsible businesses for "REAL" change.
How can collective reflection lead to more effective solutions?
It is important because it is in the intersection of perspectives, knowledge, and experiences that new ideas and solutions tailored to our local context emerge.
How can a festival contribute to raising public awareness?
A festival makes sensitive issues accessible and inspiring. It fosters community, articulates words, images, and emotions about our experiences. Most importantly, it encourages continued engagement by bringing together people who might not otherwise meet.
Were there positive outcomes from the Festival of Life?
Yes. Connections were made between associations, artists, teachers, and scientists. Ideas emerged, and the public expressed a genuine need for understanding and engagement. Above all, there was a desire to continue.
Are there other projects planned after this first Festival of Life?
We hope this first edition is just the beginning. Collectively, we are considering how to grow the festival and what format it can take.
To conclude this interview, do you have a message?
Protecting life means protecting what sustains us. And it begins with collective awareness. The Festival of Life is not an end, but a starting point.
