LUXURY INDIAN OCEAN BUSINESS
CIEL , one of the festival ’ s sponsors , prides itself on its ongoing commitment to culture in Mauritius . It has sought to support Mauritian cultural projects throughout its existence as a group . “ Culture is fundamental to our wellbeing and development as a society , and is therefore also important for businesses . It creates social linkages , common ground and frames of reference ; it embodies certain values and brings people together . Culture is a foundation on which to develop projects and invent new concepts ”, explains Mathieu Razé , CIEL ’ s Group Head of Communications and Sustainability .
The emergence of Smart Cities such as Beau Plan and Moka has also highlighted the need to invest in culture in order to create places that are attractive to live in . “ Smart Cities can ’ t just offer residential and office space ,” asserts Olaf Boullé , Business Development Manager at ENL Property Ltd . Moka ' s latest project , la Kocotte artistique , is a brilliant example of how to promote local culture and talent . It consists of poultry barns that Moka has converted into studios , in which six artists have been invited to take up residence .
For its part , Manoa Oceanwear , an environmentally responsible men ’ s swimwear brand , invites local artists to express themselves through its products once a year . Mauritian talent including Evan Sohun , Daphne Doomun , Dévid and Katy Laguette Labour have all created unique swimwear designs for the brand . Marine Dalais , cofounder of Manoa Oceanwear , believes that “ culture is an essential part of any company ’ s DNA . We position ourselves as a Mauritian brand , so it makes sense to include Mauritian culture in our designs .”
Whether these cultural initiatives are intended to assert our identity , help us outdo ourselves , create space for dialogue and exchange , or promote social cohesion , they are clearly increasingly significant . They highlight the richness of our island ’ s culture and , above all , allow us to share it with others .
© Eric Lee – Porlwi by Nature , 2017
« Le monde culturel local et régional est en pleine expansion et mériterait une attention accrue des différents acteurs sociétaux , notamment du secteur privé , pour que créativité , innovation et bienêtre soient des moteurs de notre pays . L ' entreprise mauricienne a l ' occasion aujourd ' hui d ' accompagner la croissance de ce secteur avec des engagements concrets et des stratégies long terme . Il nous reste beaucoup de fondamentaux à construire pour le développement de ce secteur , son épanouissement et la professionnalisation de ses acteurs . Cela dépend à la fois des politiques culturelles et de la vivacité des acteurs à œuvrer de manière soutenue pour qu ’ il devienne un vrai pilier de notre société . »
“ Locally and regionally , the world of culture is booming . It deserves increased attention , particularly from the private sector . This would allow creativity , innovation and well-being to become driving forces within our society . Mauritian businesses can help support the sector ’ s growth by making real commitments and developing long-term strategies . The sector ’ s foundations are still being established , and there is still much to be done to help it blossom and professionalise those working in it . It will take both cultural policy-making and a concerted effort on the part of other players to turn the sector into a real pillar of our society .”
– Astrid Dalais , Move for Art Director and Cofounder of Porlwi
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