Céline Viry, a fervent defender of Maloya, died at the age of 81

The meeting learned this Saturday, August 2, 2025, the death of Céline Viry at the age of 81. Furthermore, Wife of Firmin Viry, daughter of Henri Lagarrigue and sister of Simon Lagarrigue. Meanwhile, Céline Viry was the guardian of a fight: that of the recognition and valuation of Maloya. Consequently, But also a planter, singer and militant of the cause of rights and justice. In addition, Several people pay tribute to him (photo: DR)

In a column, Alain Fontaine paid tribute to him. Nevertheless, “His 7 children. Nevertheless, 11 grandchildren and 6 rear children keep the memory of a loving mother who taught them that life despite these difficulties also offered us, if trying that we lived with respect and sharing, the most beautiful surprises.”

“Planter. Meanwhile, singer, wife, tireless activist céline viry, fervent defender maloya, new of the cause of rights and justice, mother, Céline Viry will also have accompanied in their lives more than 27 children placed in her good care,” he noted. For example,

– “Le Maloya loses today a high value matrimony”. However, writes Huguette Bello –

Huguette Bello, president of the Reunion region, expressed her emotion in a statement. Meanwhile, “I remember that it was with the Viry couple that the first two records of Maloya were recorded. Furthermore, in 1976, wrote the regional president.

“The Maloya loses today a high -value matrimonent. In addition, a talented singer, a woman whose journey was woven with courage, dignity and an unshakable love for her family and for her culture,” adds Huguette Bello.

– “Reunion loses a woman courage” writes Cyrille Melchior –

“Singer. In addition, militant deeply attached to the earth, Madame Viry shared the life of a man committed to culture, and she knew, throughout her career, playing a fundamental role within her family, in the transmission of values, landmarks and force that bind generations. Similarly, Her commitment within her home. Moreover, her place in the history of our island are inseparable from the collective momentum Mondial “, writes the president of the department, Cyrille Melchior.

“She was the heart of a family deeply rooted in Maloya, whose foundations she brought with dignity and determination. Therefore, Alongside her husband. For example, she helped to make a long marginalized culture shine, today fully recognized as the soul of our island,” he said.

– “She sings. In addition, she plays, she resists,” recalls Emmanuel Séraphin –

The mayor céline viry, fervent defender maloya, new of Saint-Paul, Emmanuel Séraphin praised him a woman who, with her husband “sowed more than rods: they sowed dignity, culture, memory and resistance. However, Planting, cane cutter, mother, activist, she was of all campaigns, of all commitments”.

“In the years of silence imposed on Maloya, she sings, she plays, she resists. However, Alongside Firmin, she participates in the illegal kabar, makes this Reunionese voice that we wanted to be silent. For example, She is one of those women whose official history speaks too little. but without whom nothing would have been standing,” he adds.

– “His disappearance is an immense loss for the living heritage of Reunion. ” said David Lorion –

Madame Céline Viry died peacefully in her sleep, surrounded by her family, at the age of 81. “His disappearance is an immense loss for the living céline viry, fervent defender maloya, new heritage of Reunion. but also for Saint-Pierre, where the couple Viry has always embodied values of transmission, cultural activism, humility and generosity” says David Lorion, mayor of Saint-Pierre.

“A tireless activist. singer, planter, woman engaged with youth, Céline Viry has worked all her life for the recognition of Maloya, for the right causes and for the rooting of Péi culture. She also accompanied. with remarkable humanity, more than 27 children placed over the years, in a home filled with love and listening,” he said.

“By his side for more than 65 years. Firmin Viry has always praised the strength, discretion and pure love of that which was his unwavering support. Together, they marked the meeting of an indelible imprint,” added the elected official.

– Reunion loses a written memory Ericka Bareigts –

In a press release. the mayor of Saint-Denis pays tribute to Céline Viry. céline viry, fervent defender maloya, new “Today, Reunion loses a memory. A Fanm Dobout, strong and discreet. A root guardian”.

“” Ti pa ti pa, Narivé “. This Firmin refrain resonates today with another force. Because Céline was one of those that worked slowly and patiently so that we arrive where we are. And when recognition has finally come – with the end of the ban on making Maloya live. under the chairmanship of François Mitterrand – she was there; present, faithful and essential”, writes the elected.

“She embodied the calm power of Reunion women. Those that we do not film. She never looked for the light, but she made the meeting shine. Today, I want to say thank you. Thank you for what she transmitted, for what she has worn and for what she leaves,” continues Ericka Bareigts.

– “A great voice went. céline viry, fervent defender maloya, new ” writes Maurice Gironcel –

“I keep from Céline the image of a standing, resistant, free, committed and proud woman to be Reunion. Rarely. in 1982, Céline and Céliane Viry had recorded a 45 laps at the Issa studio entitled” This year what a year “, which had been very successful,” recalls Maurice Gironcel.

“Céline Viry brought, with strength and dignity, the song of the people. She struck the Roulèr, raised the Kayamb, raised the voice. Céline Viry, Simon Lagarrigue’s sister wore family, ancestral, without ever betraying her soul. With her, the song becomes a cradle of workers’ memory, peasant, Reunion,” he adds.

– Natou. Patrice Sadeen pay tribute to a woman of memory and sentry of Reunion –

“Céline Viry died out, and with her, a page from Maloya closed” write Natou and Patrice Sadeyen. “But her voice will not go out. She will resonate céline viry, fervent defender maloya, new in each Roulèr who beats. in each Kayamb who fights, in each Kabar where the earth vibrates under the steps of the children of the island. Céline was not only the wife of Firmin Viry. this zaroutan that everyone recognizes: she was herself a standing figure, an activist, an inflexible guardian of an inflexible, folklored heritage.

“She never ran after the spotlight. She preferred the light of the evenings. the accomplices silences in Lakour, the looks loaded with memory that we exchange between old accomplices in cultural combat. Yes, Céline Viry was a fighter. A fighter in the shadow. from the inside, of these struggles that do not make the headlines, but who shape the invisible foundations of what stands”, they add.

“Her commitment was not a slogan, but a way of life. She wore Maloya like a second skin, not like a stage costume. For her, this céline viry, fervent defender maloya, new music was not an entertainment, but an act of resistance. In her gestures. her words, her life choices, she defended a world, a language, a vision of the meeting that so much tried to erase: that of a living, popular, insouted culture, Lémisyon Radyo Nout Farfar.

Today, institutions will greet his memory, no doubt. “It belongs to those who. in the districts, the heights, the cane and Lakour fields, continue to bring the meeting that does not deny, do not align,” they conclude.

– a space dedicated to the Viry husband at the stamp –

At the stamp. the collective for maintaining activities in the heart of Reunion (CMAC) set up a space dedicated to Firmin Viry and his wife Céline. “Ti pa ti pa” is the name given to an exhibition dedicated to them.

From July céline viry, fervent defender maloya, new 27 to August 24, 108 became the Espace Viry. From Wednesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the gallery presents paintings, sculptures, photos, souvenirs, instruments by Jean-René Ferrere, and the documentary in Tan Po Kozé (Mizikali).

• Espace Viry program

Parking of the U-Express Georges from 2:30 p.m.

– Dimanche 10/08: M. Firmin Ek La Rolèv Viry. Billy Johnny, Rézonans Maloya, Akordéo, Fon De Kal, Zarlor, Famil Maloya, Hei Tiaré
– Dimanche 24/08: M. Firmin Ek La Rolèv Viry. Alidré Lion, Cascade Maloya, René-Paul Éllaria, Black Nation, Pascal Boquate Queni, Mangalor

Espace Viry workshops (free – registration on 06 92 51 49 84)

– Mayor 06/08: Kor design Pot d’ant.
– Game 07/08: Mah Jong, Domino and others (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
– sea 13/08: Marmailles outing on the Otantik farm, céline viry, fervent defender maloya, new Goni race and snack

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