Mauritian Unity Shines in the Face of Ecological Disaster

On Friday, September 13, 2024, Beau Plan hosted an exceptional evening at L’Aventure du Sucre, featuring the screening of “Pie Dan Lo,” a short film produced by visual artist Kim Yip Tong and Gao Shan Animation Studio.

This poignant film pays tribute to the resilience of Mauritians and the mobilization at the Beau Plan Creative Park in response to the MV Wakashio ecological disaster. The event, supported by Beau Plan, L’Aventure du Sucre, Creative Park Beau Plan, Attitude Hotels, and the French Foundation of Mauritius, highlighted the extraordinary efforts of thousands of volunteers who created artisanal “booms” to protect marine ecosystems.

Present at the screening, the Ambassador of the European Union, HE Oskar Benedikt, emphasized the importance of preparing for similar disasters. The film, directed by Kim Yip Tong, is a creative collaboration between Mauritius and Reunion Island, tracing the trauma of the coastal inhabitants and the unifying power that emerged to address this tragedy.

“This ecological disaster has reminded us of the vital importance of our connection with the environment and its protection. The evening of September 13, marked by the screening of ‘Pie Dan Lo,’ was an opportunity to relive this collective momentum. It is an honor for us, at Beau Plan and within the Terra group, to have supported this initiative, which highlights the resilience of our nation and the commitment of thousands of volunteers to protect our coasts.” — Emeric Vigier de Latour, Terra Communications Manager.

Edwige Gufflet, director of L’Aventure du Sucre, noted that the film serves as a reminder of the environmental disaster caused by the MV Wakashio and the incredible national unity that followed.

A makeshift outdoor factory was established in Beau Plan to produce temporary buoys, mobilizing teams from L’Aventure du Sucre, Terra, and Attitude, as well as thousands of volunteers from across the country.

Juliette Deloustal, Attitude’s Sustainability Manager, explained that the group’s involvement was a natural fit, given the on-site teams and resources available. The initiative demonstrated the ability to act collectively to protect the environment.

A Tribute to Mauritian Unity

The event paid tribute to the unity of Mauritians in their commitment to environmental protection. Over 2,500 volunteers contributed to the creation of more than 12 km of floating “babas” as part of the initiative launched by Terra in 2020.

More than 45 organizations participated in this effort, including Terra Group, Attitude Hotels, Akoe Events, and many others. Terragen, the Terra group’s thermal power plant, played a key role in supplying essential materials for the manufacture of the “sticks.”

The participation of residents from surrounding villages and citizens from across the country was a powerful moment of unity and commitment to protecting the coasts.