Brickaville: City of Culture

 
Brickaville is one of the districts of the Atsinanana region, east of Madagascar. It is named after Charles Bricka, a French engineer, director of Public Works of Madagascar during colonization. Charles Bricka contributed to the construction of the Tananarive-Côte-Est or TCE railway line before becoming Inspector General of Public Works of the colonies.
 
At the beginning, when this place was still called Ampasimanolotra or Vohibinany (mouth village, village of rivers), only the famous bridge of the city bore the name of "Brickaville", before the name was extended to the entire city.
 
 
 
Brickaville is a stop-over place for travellers from Toamasina to buy "voandalana", usually fruit or take a break when they come from Antananarivo. The majority of visitors are unaware of the peculiarities of the place. At the end of the afternoon, the city comes alive with the arrival of farmers and fishermen who intend to relax and enjoy "culture 508" (District ZIP code). Groups of young people, with or without a musical instrument, begin to sing and play their cover versions of betsimisaraka ,hit songs, or just improvise on the banks of the Rianila River.
 
The approach to the city is defined by sugar cane plantations, an agricultural activity that was revived last year in Maromamy, a nearby village.
 
This article was featured in Prime Magazine August 2018

Useful Information

When to go

The eastern part of Madagascar is characterized by a hot and humid tropical climate with heavy rainfall. The vegetation is green almost all year round. The best time to go is between May and October.

How to get there

This city is located 254 km from the capital; it takes 5hrs 30mins to travel there by car. Alternatively you can fly by Air Madagascar to Toamasina and proceed by car for another 2hrs 30mins.

Where to stay

The Capricorn Hotel is comfortable and welcoming.

Where to eat

Try the specialties of the east like coconut corn for breakfast, before roaming through the city's knick-knack shops. The Restaurant Giovanni and the restaurant of the Hotel Capricorn are among the best in Brickaville.

What to see

There are many exotic fruit sellers along the RB2 selling watermelon, cola, soursop, apple-cinnamon. Some have travelled miles to transport and sell their merchandise. A trip to the small river port will reveal the art of transportation for these fruits. Brickaville is a connection point for Lake Rasoabe, Ambila-Lemaintso or Andevoranto.