Fianarantsoa is the capital of Haute Matsiatra Region. It was built in
the early 19th century by the Merina as the administrative capital for
the newly conquered Betsileo kingdoms.
Fianarantsoa means "Good education" in Malagasy. It is a
cultural and intellectual center for the whole island. It is home to
some of the oldest Protestant and Lutheran cathedrals on the island, the
oldest theological seminary (also Lutheran), as well as the Roman
Catholic Archdiocese of Fianarantsoa. The city of "good education" also
boasts a university named after it and built in 1972. Fianarantsoa is
considered to be the capital of wine in Madagascar, because of the
presence of many wine industries in the city.
Fianarantsoa has
been known for its political activism and was one of the "hot spots"
during the political crisis in 2002. Students of the University of
Fianarantsoa have a reputation for sympathizing with radical leftist
groups. The mayor of Fianarantsoa comes from the MFM political party
whose colors are based on the anarcho-syndicalist flag.
Fianarantsoa
was placed by the World Monuments Fund on its 2008 Watch List of the
100 Most Endangered Sites because many of the buildings in the old town
are in dire need of repair. Fortunately, most of the repairs are
relatively easy, and WMF hopes that the listing will attract attention
to fund the necessary repairs to keep the old town looking beautiful
