Seychelles opens its 30th Festival Kreol in the heart of its Victoria, the Capital of the global Creole Nation
(Posted 27th October 2015)
Seychellois truly showed that they are proud of their culture yesterday as even if it was raining in Victoria, dubbed as the capital of the Creole world, that did not stop Seychelles and the islands of La Reunion, Mauritius and Rodrigues from celebrating their Creole identity and culture.
Even with the persistant showers a colourful procession known as Laserenad made its way through to the Stad Popiler, which was the chosen venue for this year’s official launch of Festival Kreol.
Gracing this auspicious event were the President of the Republic James Alix Michel, Vice-President Danny Faure, high government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, foreign dignitaries, invited media representatives and a large crowd of locals who would not miss the opening for anything.
Slowly, the rain and bad weather were chased away by the determination of the young and old who were proudly celebrating their Creole identity through the various performances.
The colourful Laserenad performers thrilled their spectators and it all ended in what is called the Pipili – another demonstration of pure tradition.
Speaking at the event, the Minister for Tourism and Culture Alain St.Ange who had paraded into the stadium with the participants alongside Ministers and Officials from Mauritius and La Reunion, said it is a feat for Seychelles to be able to celebrate its 30th Festival Kreol, which is the biggest cultural manifestation bringing together friends from Creole-speaking countries.
‘This festival has helped us to be united to live as a proud Creole nation. We are proud of our Creole identity and it is important to reflect on how our past, the richness of its traditions and culture that have all been nurtured and preserved so well have today made us stand with much pride as a nation in the Creole world‘ Minister St.Ange said.
The Minister added that it has not always been easy for Seychelles to preserve this beautiful and unique culture, as there were challenges.
Minister St.Ange spoke about the law established decades ago – the 1935 Colonial era drums regulations of the Penal Code- which banned the beating of drums in Victoria and other places in the country.
It was confirmed that the process to remove this law will start soon now that the minister has signed a memo addressed to the Principal Secretary for Culture Benjamine Rose calling on her to start holding talks with the Attorney General’s office.
Minister St.Ange saluted the people of Seychelles for being a true Creole nation and called on them to keep preserving this unique culture of the islands.
Officially launching the 30th Festival Kreol, President James Alix Michel said Seychelles has been able to make its voices heard as a true Creole nation across the world.
‘We have been able to better position ourselves to promote our cultural heritage, our history, language, music and other arts, culinary experiences and our traditions‘ President Michel said.
‘This is the true wealth of Seychelles. Let us continue to preserve our culture and let us do it in serenity, joy, harmony and unity, alongside other Creole-speaking countries across the world‘ the President added.
President Michel has described the Festival Kreol as a vehicle of development and ideal for the promotion of the Creole culture of Seychelles, which has become a vital pillar in the development of the Seychelles tourism industry and the campaign to promote Seychelles as an ideal destination among travellers.
The Seychelles President added that Festival Kreol is an occasion to recognise the pioneers who have contributed in building this beautiful Creole nation of Seychelles and towards the development of the island’s identity.
President Michel added that the Seychelles Creole identity has made the islands more creative and innovative and has allowed the Seychellois to express themselves in their own language.
‘It has valued our past and helped us to pave our way forward towards the development of our country‘ President James Michel then added.
During the ceremony, the new hymn of Festival Kreol – Rasanble Kreol – was sung for all to enjoy.
Artists gave an added Creole touch to this evening through their songs while dancers swayed away to the beats of our traditional music.
