On the 23rd and 24th of May 2025, the heart of Port Louis became the setting for a unique celebration of life. The Festival du Vivant took place at the House of Digital Art, marking the beginning of a movement that blends science, art, and ecology. This new festival format brought together artists, scientists, thinkers, citizens, and associations to tackle one of the most pressing challenges of our time, the preservation of biodiversity.
The event, jointly organised by Rogers Group, the House of Digital Art, and Odysseo, aimed to make biodiversity more accessible to the public. It invited attendees to explore what biodiversity really means, why it is essential, and how all forms of life from the tiniest organism to the most complex ecosystems are interconnected.
In a rapidly changing world, the festival served as both a wake-up call and a source of hope. It encouraged individuals and communities to consider how they can take action, within their own capacities, to protect the living world around them.
Facing the Reality of Biodiversity Loss
The global biodiversity crisis is escalating. It is one of the planetary boundaries that has already been breached, reflecting the severe strain placed on ecosystems. With the United Nations Ocean Conference set to take place in Nice in June 2025, the Festival du Vivant arrived at a critical moment.
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, biodiversity encompasses the diversity of genes, species, and ecosystems that support life on Earth. This natural wealth is the foundation of human survival, influencing our food systems, health, economy, and overall well-being.
As of 2023, six out of nine planetary boundaries had been exceeded. Biodiversity loss ranks among the most critical of these, as its effects are often permanent. Reports estimate that nearly one million species are at risk of extinction each year. In Mauritius alone, eighty-nine percent of endemic plant species are threatened.
This context shaped the purpose of the festival, to raise awareness about our interdependence with the natural world. It used creative and scientific expression, educational tools, and civic engagement to build a collective understanding of the urgent need for change.
Philosophy and Collective Reflection
Philosopher Anouchka Sooriamoorthy opened the festival with a poignant address. She questioned the idea of celebration in a time when life itself is at risk. Her message was clear, we live in a world dominated by concrete, plastic, and disconnection from nature. Yet, despite the urgency of the situation, she emphasised that it is through human connection and collective imagination that real progress can be made.
Her words set the tone for two days of thoughtful programming, where participants were encouraged to confront difficult truths while also envisioning new ways of coexisting with nature.
Two Days of Dialogue, Discovery, and Creativity
The Festival du Vivant offered a rich programme that included expert symposiums, interactive living conversations, hands-on BioLabs, artistic performances, and a village of local NGOs. Visitors explored various themes, from the health of coral reefs and the importance of forests to the role of insects, soil, and the ocean in maintaining ecological balance.
The event welcomed hundreds of people and featured contributions from more than fifty speakers and organisations. Local and regional actors such as the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation, Ebony Forest, and Nature Yetu shared their efforts in biodiversity conservation. A highlight was the presence of the Reunion-based collective “La route des plantes, le chant des forêts,” which brought valuable perspectives from the neighbouring island.
The festival also provided a space for visitors to engage with projects in tangible ways. Whether through volunteering, adopting new habits, or collaborating with NGOs, participants left with a sense of agency and direction.
Strong Partnerships and Cultural Exchange
The French Institute of Mauritius enriched the experience by offering immersive virtual reality journeys into the marine world. The vibrant energy of traditional island music was brought by Filou Moris. Meanwhile, MBC Radio broadcasted live interviews with festival contributors, helping to amplify the messages shared during the event.
This diverse programme highlighted the strength of interdisciplinary collaboration and the power of storytelling to inspire change.
Reflections from the Organisers
Astrid Dalais, founder of the House of Digital Art, described the festival as more than an event, it was a space for awakening. She explained that by combining science, art, and dialogue, the festival showed how much we can learn from nature about harmony and resilience.
Mickaël Apaya, Head of Climate Resilience at Rogers Group, explained that the five main components of the festival, the Symposium, Conversations, Village, BioLab, and Living Arts, were designed to connect knowledge, emotion, and action. Together, they created an inclusive platform for engagement.
Lea de Oliveira, Programme Manager at the Odysseo Foundation, focused on marine biodiversity. She highlighted the importance of mangroves, coral regeneration, and the fragile St Brandon archipelago, which symbolises what must be protected in the face of environmental threats.
Words from the Community
Participants shared heartfelt testimonials. For Krishna Pentayah of Sov Lanatir, the festival was a chance to recharge as an activist. Others praised the authenticity, inclusiveness, and warmth of the space, which allowed for genuine exchange and reflection. Photographer Meha Desai described it as an intimate yet expansive experience, full of ideas and inspiration.
Looking Ahead: A Commitment to Sustainability
The Festival du Vivant was made possible through the collaboration between Rogers Group, Odysseo, and the House of Digital Art. Rogers and Odysseo are both recipients of support from the Indian Ocean Business Biodiversity Fund, a regional programme funded by the French Development Agency and implemented by Expertise France.
This initiative is part of a broader strategy to promote biodiversity in the region and to support environmental education and innovation. The festival marks the beginning of what is envisioned as an annual, travelling event, bringing together voices and visions from across the Indian Ocean.
The 2025 edition proved that protecting life on Earth is not only a necessity but also a shared responsibility, one that can be approached with creativity, courage, and a deep respect for the world we live in.
