Géraldine Darpoux and "the living heritage factory"
During the Business Review in February, Géraldine Darpoux's captivating eloquence energized the audience. Who is she, and what is her role at Eclosia? The new consultant is a cultural entrepreneur passionate about heritage preservation and national identity development. She is currently working with Cultural Project Manager Maya de Salle on innovative projects.
Originally from Mauritius, Géraldine returned to her homeland after two decades of a rich and diverse international career. After two years at the Institut Français du Cambodge, she later developed the cultural enterprise Phare Cambodian Circus, a professional social circus in Siem Reap, near the gates of Angkor. Her commitment continued in Mozambique, where she co-founded 16NetO, a hybrid space dedicated to emerging artists and innovation. Back in France, she worked on developing a third-place hub focused on agroecology in Marseille and became a cultural consultant for the Swiss Embassy in Tanzania and Mozambique.
Géraldine’s decision to return to Mauritius came after deep reflection on Mauritian identity—an issue that has followed her since her studies at Sciences Po and in Cultural Institution Management. This reflection led her to explore ways to create social cohesion in Mauritian society. "In the education that Cédric, Astrid, and I received, there was always this idea that we had a responsibility towards our country. For me, culture has always been a tool to address many of the questions that arise in Mauritian society," she explains.
At Eclosia, Géraldine is responsible for developing “living heritage factories”—cultural entrepreneurship projects both within the company and by supporting external entrepreneurs. Ultimately, the goal is to preserve heritage and build a dynamic Mauritian identity. She is currently involved in two major internal projects: the creation of a center dedicated to preserving Mauritian photographic and audiovisual heritage in collaboration with the Musée de la Photo, and transforming La Carrière into a creative and innovative hub centered around local cuisine.
“We aim to explore and reinvent Mauritian cuisine. The project involves a collaboration with Nizam Peeroo, former chef of Labourdonnais, to establish a training and research center,” she explains regarding La Carrière.
She highlights the crucial importance of research on local gastronomy. While significant initiatives have been launched by other chefs, such as Noël Chelvan, and internally by Maya de Salle and Yovan Jankee, Sustainability & Communication Manager at Panagora, through the report titled *Manze lontan*, there is still much to explore. This approach aligns perfectly with her vision of “living heritage”—a memory to be collected, preserved, and shared today to build the foundations of tomorrow’s heritage.
Collaboration with Maya de Salle, an anthropologist and entrepreneur, is a key element of Géraldine’s approach. Together, they document both the tangible and intangible aspects of Mauritian heritage. “Working with Maya is crucial,” says Géraldine. “Her expertise in anthropology provides an in-depth understanding of historical and present behaviors related to cultural valorization. She plays an essential role in structuring and documenting projects, combining research, writing, and a spirit of care.”
Géraldine Darpoux’s journey reflects her unwavering commitment to cultural entrepreneurship. “My career has led me to work on exciting projects around the world, yet it is here, at home, that I have always wanted to build and contribute in my own way. Today, I hope to make a meaningful impact by developing enterprises that serve as living heritage factories, fostering a strong and dynamic Mauritian identity.”