10.03.06: Varua Tupu

By Aiko Yamashiro

Pacific literature’s newest treasure Vārua Tupu: New Writing from French Polynesia makes its grand and much-anticipated Hawai‘i debut this week.

Two reasons you must experience this book. Besides being a stunning collection of poetry, prose, photos, and paintings by and of the Mā‘ohi people, this work is also the first ever anthology of French Polynesian writing available in English. Until now, language barriers have too often excluded this region’s voice from Pacific literature collections in English. Vārua Tupu marks the beginning of reconnecting across this historical divide.

Published by UHM's own Mānoa: A Pacific Journal and UH Press, this tie has created an amazing opportunity for UH students to witness literary history in the making.

“We all belong to the Pacific, as brothers, sisters, and cousins, and it is significant that we are able to travel freely across the reef, physically and through the imaginations of our artists, and get to know one another again.” -(President of French Polynesia Oscar Manutahi Temaru, introduction to Vārua Tupu)

Make time to check out the following (free) events!

Tuesday, October 3rd

Reading and Book Signing

7-9 pm

Na Mea Books

Ward Warehouse (near Spaghetti Factory)

 

Thursday, October 5th

Colloquium: Parau Hotu: Gender, Genres and Fertile Words in Contemporary Tahitian Literature

Discussion with writers Flora Devatine, Kareva Mateata-Allain, Rai a Mai, and co-editor Alexander Mawyer

3-4:30 pm

Kuykendall 410, UHM Campus

 

 

For more information:

http://manoajournal.hawaii.edu/text/issues/descriptions/frenchpolynesia05.html#

http://honoluluweekly.com/hotpicks/2006/09/tahitian-treat/

http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2006/Oct/01/il/FP610120322.html