?Already, at that time, the rich diversity of people was a message of fantastic unity,? commented Paul Bérenger. Just like the first of a series of eight lectures on Mauritain history, his second one was an opportunity to express his search for unity and his passion for his native island. On Saturday, the MMM leader ? having put on his historian?s cap for a few hours ? related the year 1722 when the Isle de France came into being?

These talks by Paul Bérenger appear more like an interaction between him and the public than a daunting two-hour speech from an expert. The 200 or so people present at the Plaza were able to ask questions on some issues that did not seem clear to them or bring their contribution to the lecture with more explanations or comments.

Moreover, Paul Bérenger did not stick to historical facts but made sure he gave a few anecdotes which enlivened his presentation. According to the satisfied looks of the people coming out at the end he surely achieved his goal.

<B>Different facet</B>

It is true that the audience was already keen on listening to him and had an initial positive reaction to the MMM leader. Many were MMM die-hards who had come to see another facet of their favourite politician? But, when he is in front of this particular audience once a month, Paul Bérenger is no longer a politician. For two hours, he wants to be someone who relates the history of his country to seasoned Mauritian citizens as well as to the younger generation.

Paul Bérenger wants to ?educate? young Mauritians on the history of their island and their ancestors. Because ?people who do not know their history are like ships without rudders?. So, after the departure of the Dutch in 1710, Mauritius became the Isle de France with the arrival of the first French settlers from neighbouring Bourbon Island ? followed by those from France. In December 1715, Captain Guillaume Dufresne d?Arsel arrived in Port-Louis and took possession of the island.

The French actually arrived on Bourbon Island and Isle de France by default as they had to abandon Madagascar where their settlement experience had turned into a nightmare. Bourbon Island was seen at the time as a ?sub-product? of Madagascar. And, as Saint-Denis harbour presented no advantage for them, they decided to colonise the Isle de France to ensure a harbour on the East Indies route and a protection for Bourbon Island, explained the narrator.

This explains why the sister islands have always been so close. Not only geographically but also because their people have the same crossbred origin. ?The main characteristic of the people coming from Bourbon was crossbreeding. It was the case for Isle de France as from its first year as well. As from 1722, the first French people arrived from Bourbon. Then directly from France, Madagascar, Mozambique and India,? explained Paul Bérenger, happy to relate the first touch of crossbreeding in what would become Mauritius. The ?master of ceremonies? made it clear that it was a gloomy period in the history of the island, the ?evil of the Isle de France?, as he likes to call it.

After Port-Louis and Rose-Hill, the lectures move to the municipality of Quatre-Bornes next month where Paul Bérenger will speak further on the Isle de France and the origin of the settlers. The more people attend his conference, the more the historian will feel he has reached his objective: enabling people to know the history of the island in order to better understand the present and better prepare for the future.