A 24 hour day is far too short for Karl Ramassamy.  From his work at the town hall of Saint-Denis to the chairmanship of Nout Racine association to his commitments in humanitarian projects, and many other things-, this man still has time to write.  Do not be mistaken: Karl Ramassamy is not a dispersed human being.  Because behind all this, only an immense and devouring passion is being concealed: that of his island.       

Karl Ramassamy clearly states: Réunion Island bears well its name.  It is an indisputable example of cultural diversity.  No other place in the world looks like this island.  It is a precious object that must be preserved at all costs. 

But, to preserve it as it deserves, it has to be known and understood.  At 44 years old, Karl Ramassamy had known this for quite a long time.  For this man who never stops promoting the image of his island, it is important to define all the aspects that shape Réunion Island. 

As such, he is writing a book named as: "La Réunion: un panorama d'un multiculturalisme réussi."  The idea is to present the island under various aspects: music, sport, cuisine, religion, and heritage, all through the eyes of the Réunionese celebrities involved in one of these sectors.  Then, the author will provide his own synthesis as a conclusion to his work.     

It bubbled up!

The preparation of the manuscript has well started: Karl Ramassamy has begun to note down the contacts and conduct interviews.  The book is scheduled to come out in 2009.  "Yes in 2009, because it's a real work of gathering information.  It's very lengthy," said he.  Not the least detail should be overlooked for this very meticulous man.

Besides, it's with the same state of mind that he wrote his first book in 2005: "Bouillon fonnkèr," a creole poetry collection, published through Nout racine association whereof he is the president.  The aim of the association is to integrate young people into society and to prevent delinquency and hence contributing to more than one string to his bow whilst becoming a publishing house.       

"The "fonnkèr" is a Creole term, it's what's deep down in ones heart, explains the author and "bouillon," is because I wrote down everything which was bubbling inside me.  I found the title of this book really appropriate."    

An island, a world

From the very first pages, the reader is seized by the Réunionese soul.  Because Karl Ramassamy relates: the picnics at the cirque of Cilaos, charcoal-grilled meal of the charming, Odile, the uncle who is playing the harmonica, the maloya songs which can be heard at the back of the garage, but also violence, drug and slavery. 

All these small stories make up the great history of Réunion Island.  Finally, what are the treasures of this island?  Is it its beautiful landscapes, its population who know how to live harmoniously or yet these elusive stuffs, that is the delicious smell of the spices, the sacred songs or the waves of the ocean?              

In any case, Karl Ramassamy is convinced that team works along with a cultural fabric play an essential role to maintain this wealth.  With this successful multiculturalism panorama, Karl Ramassamy perfectly illustrates the new tourist slogan of Réunion Island: An island, a world.      

Laura Bassetti
JANUARY 2008