The streets of Moka, Mauritius, have become a canvas for the poetry of Michel Ducasse, with panels featuring his poems being displayed along La Promenade. The project, initiated by his friends and supported by Moka City and Eclosia, was launched on October 28, 2026, and aims to celebrate the author's work. The initiative was presented on the occasion of the International Day of Creole Language and Culture.
The project was conceived by a group of friends, known as "Bann Kam Michel Ducasse," who wanted to pay tribute to the poet. The idea was born out of a desire to honor Ducasse, who had to put his writing on hold after suffering a stroke in July 2025. The project takes on a special significance as it approaches the 50th anniversary of Ducasse's writing career, which will be celebrated in 2027.
Mathieu Pigeot, Art and Culture Manager of Moka City, sees this exhibition as an opportunity to introduce the public to the work of an author who contributes to Mauritian literature. The project also aims to promote the poet's work and encourage visitors to take the time to read his texts and discover his universe. Ducasse discovered poetry at the age of 15 and has since published eight books, including five collections of poetry and two translations into Creole.
Ducasse's work is highly regarded in Mauritius, and he has written texts for several artists, including Éric Triton, Abaim, Patyatann, and Gilbert Pounia of the Réunionnais group Ziskakan. He has also launched several cultural projects in Mauritius, Rodrigues, and Réunion through his publishing house, Vilaz Metis. One of his notable projects is the Koktèle Fonnkèr, which introduced slam poetry to the theater in Mauritius in 2022.
The panels displaying Ducasse's poems are a testament to the author's impact on Mauritian literature. His last book, Dan Balizaz Barlizour, published in March 2025, is a translation into Creole of Aimé Césaire's Cahier d'un retour au pays natal. The project is a collaboration between his friends, Moka City, and Eclosia, and aims to promote the poet's work and legacy.
Delphine Ahnee, Ducasse's partner, and Nelly Yiptong, a close friend, were instrumental in launching the project. They hope that visitors will take the time to read the poems and discover the poet's universe. The exhibition is a fitting tribute to Ducasse's work and a celebration of his contribution to Mauritian literature.
The project is a significant cultural event in Mauritius, and it highlights the importance of promoting and preserving the country's literary heritage. The exhibition will run for an unspecified period, and visitors can view the panels along La Promenade in Moka.
Key points
- The project aims to promote Michel Ducasse's work and legacy, and to celebrate his contribution to Mauritian literature.
- The exhibition features panels displaying excerpts of Ducasse's poems, which were installed along La Promenade in Moka on October 28, 2026.
- The project was launched on the occasion of the International Day of Creole Language and Culture, and it takes on a special significance as it approaches the 50th anniversary of Ducasse's writing career.
