11 Facts About Elie Rajaonarison

Elie Rajaonarison was a poet, artist, professor and civil servant from Madagascar.

Elie Rajaonarison was born on November 15,1951, in Ambatondrazaka, a town in the central highlands of Madagascar.

Elie Rajaonarison was credited with inspiring a new generation of Malagasy poets and artists through his advocacy and highly attended public performances of his works, which were regularly held at the Centre Germano-Malgache in Antananarivo.

Elie Rajaonarison has translated several poems by Jacques Prevert from French into Malagasy.

Elie Rajaonarison was an active advocate for preserving and advancing Madagascar's wide range of performing arts.

Elie Rajaonarison developed a theatrical piece in partnership with the Centre Culturel Francais called Tana-Cergy, which was performed by a troupe of Malagasy and French actors and toured widely in France to positive reviews.

Elie Rajaonarison wrote and directed several films, and worked with other concerned artists to found the Malagasy National Committee of ICOMOS to advocate for the protection of Madagascar's tangible cultural and historic heritage.

Elie Rajaonarison served as Secretary General to the Minister of Culture in the 1990s under President Albert Zafy, and was formerly a member of the AVI political party of Norbert Ratsirahonana.

Elie Rajaonarison was noted for his strong convictions, love of Madagascar and warm personality.

On November 27,2010, Elie Rajaonarison died of food poisoning at the age of 57.

Elie Rajaonarison received state honors and his death was widely mourned in Madagascar.