Event· Hiva Oa· French Polynesia: Tuamotus, Marquesas, Gambier & Australs
Gauguin and Brel Anniversaries (Atuona)
9° 48.1′ S · 139° 2.3′ W · approximate
Atuona marks the anniversaries of its two famous residents, painter Paul Gauguin (died in Atuona on 8 May 1903) and singer Jacques Brel (died 9 October 1978, buried a few yards from Gauguin in Calvary Cemetery). Big round-number anniversaries bring ceremonies, exhibitions and visitors.
Practical
Position is Calvary Cemetery (nominal for events at the graves and the Espace Culturel). Verified past events: for the 30th anniversary of Brel's death, the 'Aéroclub des Marquises - Jacques Brel' opened in Atuona on 9 October 2008 (TourMaG, Sept 2008), and Hiva Oa's airport has been named Aérodrome Jacques Brel since 2008. Brel's body was flown back to the Marquesas on 12 October 1978 and buried in Calvary Cemetery (Wikipedia). Upcoming: 9 October 2028 is the 50th anniversary of Brel's death; no programme had been announced when checked (October 2026), so ask the Tahauku Tourism Committee or the Atuona mairie nearer the time. On any day you can walk up to both graves on the hill above Atuona and visit the Espace Culturel Paul Gauguin and the Espace Jacques Brel with his plane Jojo.
Best for
Pilgrimage to the Gauguin and Brel graves
Season
8 May (Gauguin) and 9 October (Brel); 50th Brel anniversary 9 Oct 2028
Nearby
- Calvary Cemetery Gauguin and Brel Graves (Atuona)Right here
- Atuona Gallery and Tattoo Parlor0.1 NM away
- Atuona Pharmacie0.1 NM away
- Atuona Post Office0.1 NM away
- Atuona Town Hall (Mairie) Fees0.1 NM away
- Magasin Gaubil (Atuona)0.1 NM away
- Atuona Gendarmerie (Port of Entry)0.2 NM away
- Boulangerie Shan (Atuona)0.2 NM away