Heiva I Tahiti, French Polynesia's cultural festival, begins

1:38 pm on 8 July 2017
French Polynesia's vice president, Teva Rohfritsch, opens Heiva I Tahiti on Saturday.

French Polynesia's vice president, Teva Rohfritsch, opens Heiva I Tahiti on Saturday. Photo: Supplied / Government of French Polynesia

French Polynesia's biggest annual cultural festival has been opened in Tahiti.

The Heiva I Tahiti is being celebrated in Papeete with a festival village accommodating 24 exhibitors.

29 dance groups are competing in this year's event.

In his opening remarks, the vice president Teva Rohfritsch says the Rarihi ceremony shows the combination of wisdom and beauty, which is the envy of the world.

A performance at Heiva I Tahiti, French Polynesia's biggest annual cultural festival.

A performance at Heiva I Tahiti, French Polynesia's biggest annual cultural festival. Photo: Supplied / Government of French Polynesia

A performer at Heiva I Tahiti, French Polynesia's largest cultural festival.

A performer at Heiva I Tahiti, French Polynesia's largest cultural festival. Photo: Supplied / Government of French Polynesia