written by Valentine LIVINE for the 2026 edition
Makeva Festival: Rangiroa Sets Its Course Back to Celebration
Michel Toromona admits he was surprised by the festival's success. "Thanks to the sound and lighting crew from Tahiti, with seven technicians and all their equipment, audiences enjoyed professional-level performances. That set the standard for the festival! Flights and guesthouses were fully booked. The Makeva Festival was on the TV news every day. We are very happy. This is exactly the kind of excitement we wanted to create in Rangiroa. Holding an event in the low season was a bold bet, but it paid off on every level!"
The festival is run by the Tike Tike dance association and its president, Michel Toromona. It filled a gap that the local population had felt and clearly voiced.
Traditional song and dance performances, va'a races, environmental awareness workshops, concerts… The festival's name was chosen by internet users and local residents. According to the elders, Makeva means "to have a blast, to enjoy oneself freely and completely." The festival paved the way for major gatherings in the Tuamotu.
Its success was such that it inspired the theme of a seminar organized by the Tourism Committee in September 2026.
The goals remain the same: bringing the western Tuamotu together, raising Rangiroa's profile, showcasing culture, sport and craftsmanship, revitalizing the atoll during the low season...
But the ambition is growing, with a budget of 12.5 million Pacific francs (XPF). The municipality, the main public partner, is providing a generous grant as well as logistical support. The French Polynesian government is also backing the event through the Ministry of Culture, along with sponsors and new partners.
On stage, three local bands have been announced: Maruao, Manahune and Anapa Sound.
A religious concert will open the festival, because "the spiritual dimension is essential," Michel explains. "It brings peace, and it reminds us that the sacred is an integral part of life."
Every evening, an open stage will give Rangiroa's artists the chance to perform in front of nearly 800 people.
Craftsmanship will also be in the spotlight, with stalls offered to Rangiroa's artisans. For Michel Toromona, it matters that "the crowds the festival draws have a positive impact on all of the atoll's residents."
The Rangiroa Swimrun is co-organized by the Team Tiputa VA'A club and the Tahitian Triathlon Federation (FTT). It takes place on Saturday, October 31, at Papaputa Beach. Last year's race drew 64 participants, and three times as many are expected this year. The FTT and the Tiputa club handle the organization and registrations, while the Tike Tike association provides the prizes for the main race. Because the Swimrun is held on October 31, athletes can also take part in the festivities.
The Makeva Festival aims to become a must-attend event. Michel Toromona hopes to see it grow year after year and make an even greater contribution to the economic, tourism and cultural development of the Tuamotu.
Beyond the celebration, the Makeva Festival offers a model: an event born from a shared desire, run by associations and supported by institutions, that brings an atoll back to life in the low season
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From October 31 to November 7, Rangiroa is getting ready to "have a blast" once again. With its lagoon, va'a, dance and open stages, the atoll shows that even in the low season, a festival can carry meaning and real impact for its entire community.
