Paul Gauguin and Jacques Brel
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Paul Gauguin and Jacques Brel |
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« He went to Polynesia to paint his childhood dreams »1 Brel said of Gauguin. Beyond their quest for a distant world, the two men also shared a passion for helping the inhabitants of the island, Jacques Brel being more successful in his endeavours than his illustrious predecessor. Gauguin set off for Polynesia in 1891 and then settled at Atuona in 1901, where he passed away on May the 8th, 1903. As for Brel, he dropped anchor on November the 19th,1975 at Tahauku, the present port of Atuona, after a 59 day crossing of the Pacific Ocean. This first port of call was to become his new land, after a general survey of the Polynesian islands, and the place where he was repatriated for his final voyage on October the 12th, 1978.. Besides the cemetery of Calvaire, where both of these adventurers of life are laid to rest, a few meters apart, the encounter between the traveler and the two famous hosts of Atuona will take place on the Tohua Papa Nui, close to the Paul Gauguin Cultural Center and the Jacques Brel Center. The first one a House of Delight (“Maison du jouir”) and museum, the second one an exhibition of the restored Jojo and stele, both reveal precious testimonies, the quality, simplicity and sincerity of which command respect and emotion.. 1 in Jacques Brel J’attends la nuit by Paul-Robert Thomas |
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