Tickets are often hard to come by, and, make no mistake, this is not an event driven exclusively by tourist dollars (or the Pacific Franc) but one that is committed to preserving local culture and identity, and the dancing continues with a proud energy well into the small hours, long after weary holiday makers have retreated to bed.

BBC: Getting in the Tahitian spirit

In many ways, geisha are living embodiments of Japanese traditional culture: each one is well versed in traditional dancing, singing, musical instruments and occasionally other arts such as tea ceremony and ikebana (flower arrangement).

BBC: Kyoto's living art of the geisha

Stein teaches the groups about the history, culture and social codes of the tango, and shares her own experiences of learning and dancing it.

BBC: The tango Buenos Aires tourists never see

But the island's one-of-a-kind culture is kept alive with activities and festivals that highlight ancient arts such as spear throwing, tobogganing, dancing and body painting.

CNN: 5 reasons to visit Easter Island