“I want to tell the people of Reunion that I feel a bit like one of them”

A few days ago, the news caused some disappointment among many Reunion Islanders, who had quickly shown a certain attachment to their prefect, Jérôme Filippini. Arriving on August 23, 2022, he will take up his new position in Ajaccio in Corsica on October 28. The favorite prefect of Reunion Islanders will leave the island”early next week“.

Before his departure, Jérôme Filippini wanted to meet the press one last time, in order to give his feelings about his two years as representative of the State in the territory. But not to take stock, he emphasizes, because it will be “still 200% prefect of Reunion“until he flies away.

This Monday afternoon, he wanted to discuss with the press the “great assets and strength that this island has“, and which he was able to realize during the duration of his exercise. The first: “the love that the Reunionese have for their island“, smiles Jérôme Filippini.

Then, the “very high level of services and infrastructure” from which the department benefits, whether in terms of road network, health provision, digital equipment or even in terms of education.

The departing prefect will not forget our famous living together either. “It’s fragile but it’s very very precious“, he insists.

“A Muslim, a Jew, a Tamil, a Christian, can pass each other in the street, without physically threatening each other, this still exists in Reunion”

Jérôme Filippini, prefect of Reunion on departure

Finally, one last point that he will remember is this “force of attraction of the island“, which is both “a very positive thing but also a challenge“. “All this, I consider it a treasure, nout zarlor“, concludes the man who very quickly after taking office in Reunion, was able to slip in a few words in Creole here and there in his interventions.

Perhaps his or her successor will do the same. His or her name will also be known very soon, since he or she will be appointed to the Council of Ministers, this week or next week.

While waiting for him to fly to Corsica, we asked Jérôme Filippini a few final questions about his time at the prefecture of Reunion.

The management of cyclone Belal was the strongest moment, because it was necessary to impose very strong constraints on the people of Reunion and protect them. I had the worry, the fear, of not being understood, of not being listened to in the measures taken, and of not protecting people sufficiently. It was a moment of great stress and emotion, but also of collective success. On a more personal level, the highlight was the discovery of the island, its beauty, its trails which I will miss, the heights of the island, the cirques… I keep these moments.

ITV Jerome Filippini

These are the two most beautiful! Honestly, Reunion is the most beautiful island in the Indian Ocean, and Corsica is the most beautiful island in the Mediterranean! I’m not saying it because I’m going to Corsica, but because I think it. It’s a real pleasure, an honor for me to be nominated. (…) I will be prefect in Corsica as I am in Reunion: in contact with people, respecting the culture and identity of people, and also very curious to be able to do everything that can be useful to territory and its inhabitants. I feel very attached to the island of Reunion and I hope that Corsica will adopt me too!

I want to tell them that I loved them, that I feel a little like one of them, and if they are willing, an adopted Reunionese. I don’t know how long it takes to be a true Reunionese, but my conviction is that if you love a territory and do it more good than harm, you deserve adoption.

In any case, the island adopted me, and I wanted to thank them for having had such a positive reception towards me. And then tell them that I would undoubtedly enjoy coming back here to Reunion Island in a few years, as a vacationer. I will be very happy to see you again at that time.