‘A cultural revolution in Seychelles’: the words of local artists taken on board in the ministry s overview of 2013
Almasalla Arab Travel Portal News – The importance of raising the profile of Seychellois culture and the islands cultural assets was cited by the Seychelles Minister responsible for culture a year ago when he moved to re-orientate the ministry s focus. A year later, the local artists have given their verdict on the work by the Department of Culture in the Ministry of Tourism and Culture to achieve that end.
Jean Marc Volcy, the popular and respected musician said at a recent meeting of musicians that Seychelles was undergoing a cultural revolution. Those same words were echoed by entertainer and musician Joseph Sinon. These comments have vindicated the open door policy of the Ministry of Tourism & Culture where visits by industry groups and individual members of the creative and performing arts are received by both Minister St. Ange and PS Benjamine Rose on a daily basis.
The Department of Culture has the responsibility to not only protect, but to also consolidate Seychelles’ cultural heritage in the broader sense. The island’s Archives, Museums, Heritage Foundation, National Arts Council, Libraries and School of Music, Dance & Drama as well as the Creole Institute, among others, all form part of the portfolio of P.S. Benjamine Rose in the Ministry of Tourism & Culture.
While Seychelles’ Cultural Heritage is easy enough to protect, raising its importance to encourage the youth of today to embrace it has always posed more of a challenge. This was one of the reasons behind the amalgamation of culture and tourism under one Ministry. The launch of the Seychelles Brand of Tourism by President James Michel also moved the unique Seychellois Culture to a position at the centre of Seychelles’ destination marketing.
Today, Minister Alain St.Ange, the Minister responsible for Tourism & Culture often remarks at tourism trade fairs: “There cannot be a consolidated tourism industry without the island’s culture being showcased. We shall continue to work as a team to unlock all the cultural potentials of our country as we empower our ‘Celebrate Seychelles Events Department’ to position Seychelles firmly into the world of events. This is how we proudly showcase our unique culture, and in so doing our people as the base of our country’s unique selling propositions (USPs)".
After a long series of consultative meetings with artists and other groups, the Ministry of Tourism & Culture is currently undergoing restructuring with the prospect of providing better service in the coming years. This involves the merger of the Seychelles Heritage Foundation, the National Arts Council, the International Conference Centre and the Events Department of the Seychelles Tourism Board into a new entity known as the Creative Industries & National Events Agency. This restructuring, effected after intensive consultation and based on recommendations of the artists themselves, is set to enable the Department of Culture to now oversee a new approach in the development and implementation of the island’s creative industries. In line with this, the Department of Culture has initiated a policy to provide artists with a proper platform to expand their creative businesses and ideas.
Following the recommendations for the restructuring, the Ministry responsible for Tourism & Culture accepted the need to set up an entity that will not only implement the Creative Industries Policy, but to also take over all the national events organised by the ministry.
The new Creative Industries & Events Agency will be the body to cater for the implementation of the music strategies and eventually all other artistic domains. It will also facilitate all major events such as the Carnaval International de Victoria of April, the Eco-Friendly Marathon, Miss Seychelles Beauty Pageant, LaFet La Digue, the Tourism Ball, Festival Kreol, FetAfrik, SUBIOS: Seychelles’ Festival of the Sea, La Francophonie Celebrations and French Day, the Commonwealth Celebrations and British Day, the Seychelles-India Day, the end of year Christmas with the stars’ music show and now, from later in this month of January, the Seychelles-China Day as well as a proposed Praslin Day in the later part of this year. Through tendering, this centrally managed body will provide work opportunities for other bodies working in all aspects of the events industry.
As part of the restructuring, there will also be a new section within the Ministry of Tourism & Culture which will look into the policy and administrative governance of the Culture Department, ensuring effective and efficient performance-based management.
Cultural Programmes
The Department of Culture prides itself in developing and enriching cultural exchange programmes through cooperation with other countries such as Sweden and China as well as with other organisations. Throughout 2013, the National Conservatoire of Performing Arts managed to send one student specialising in dance to Sweden on a 6 months attachment, while two dance teachers had the opportunity of spending 6 weeks with their Swedish counterparts. The Department also saw the exchange between a 4 member delegation from Seychelles and Sweden in the hope of further cementing the sharing of expertise in the music and dance domain.
The Chinese government supported the Department of Culture through various workshops and shows which benefited different ministries, schools, departments and the general public. A series of workshops was developed and these included paper cutting techniques, embroidery and Tai Chi.
Chinese artists also performed for the Seychellois public on numerous occasions during 2013 and these included a troupe from Shanghai province, and one from Fujian Arts College. The Department of Culture also benefited from the support of the Chinese government to provide two Chinese volunteers to teach piano and violin at the School of the National Conservatoire of Performing Arts as part of the continuous efforts to improve and impart good quality teaching at the school.
The Ministry of Tourism & Culture also received the support of ESPACE DU LIVRE FRANCOPHONE through (O.I.F) Organisation International de La Francophonie, and that of the the French Organisation ADIFLOR with donations of a number of French books for the National Library.
Following the visit of President James Michel to La Reunion, the Ministry of Tourism & Culture moved to turn the Seychelles Creole Institute into an international Creole Institute. Work is now well underway and discussions are in its final stage to have the Institute declared as the International Creole Institute during the COI (Indian Ocean Commission) Ministerial meeting this January 2014.
As part of the Ministry’s strategy to preserve the island’s heritage due attention has been given to Victoria via a series of proposals to the ongoing work to produce a new Urban Development Plan for Victoria. Victoria is viewed as a unique place with many sites that showcase our history since its creation as l’Etablissement du Roi over more than 230 years ago. Major work is in progress to enhance the state of landmark features and give them appropriate and sustainable functions. The former Supreme Court building, the SPUP/SSPF Museum, the former Court of Appeal building are examples of sites being covered under the current programme.
Cultural Events
For the first time ever in Seychelles, the nation celebrated the Seychelles/India Day. With less than 3 months to prepare for such a big event, Seychelles welcomed 63 Indian Bollywood stars who participated and highlighted the event as a memorable celebration of Indian culture, as well as showing the diversity and acceptance of cultures in Seychelles. This event was made possible through the close working partnership between the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, the Indian High Commission and the local Seychellois Indian Community.
Discussions the the Chinese Embassy and the local Chinese Association are now in the final stages to launch the celebration of the first Seychelles/China Day for three days starting the 31st January 2014. This again shows Seychelles’ commitment in involving all communities to be part of the manifestation and celebration of the multicultural nature and diversity of our island nation.
The Fet Afrik, that is celebrated annually on the 25th of May regained its grandeur in 2013 with a series of activities ranging from an African Bazaar, exhibitions and public talks. The festival received acclaimed support from the African communities and all wish to see Fet Afrik continuing in 2014 and beyond.
2013 has seen some very interesting publications commemorating the centenary of the inauguration of the State House and a coffee table book was published on this National Monument and its historical importance. A book dedicated to the important local folktale of Soungoula, was also published and launched during the FetAfrik Festival.
The Living Heritage of Seychelles and A collection of exhibitions and Traditional Herbal Teas of Seychelles are two other publications that were released in 2013, making available a rich spread of information on Seychellois culture and heritage.
The necessary groundwork has been done for the National Troupe and the National Choir in order to give regular and fixed evening performances to attract tourists and locals alike. The National Troupe is ready with its recently created repertoire depicting the origin and diversity of the Seychellois people. As for the National Choir, it has recently produced a CD of traditional songs especially arranged for choral singing. This will serve as a basis for its performances in line with what is being envisaged. The joint performances by the National Choir and the National Troupe will take place as of next year in the Theatre des Palmes, a national monument which has just recently been renovated.
This year, the Heritage Week has been a success due to the combined efforts of the National Heritage Research Section, National Monuments Board and Seychelles Heritage Foundation which are all institutions mandated to the preservation and promotion of our cultural heritage. This collaboration has allowed for a wider scope of activities designed to cater for various groups within the population, from the heritage enthusiasts to those with limited interests. After all, the raison d’être of having a heritage week in the first place is to encourage greater participation and raise awareness of key messages through outreach and partnership programs targeting the local community. It is an opportunity for us to celebrate our rich and diverse national heritage, renew efforts for its protection and draw attention to its vulnerability. This year’s event attracted a very good turnout, a sure sign that the Heritage week is gaining popularity.
The National Heritage Research Section organized its annual Traditional Medicine Day on Friday 30th August 2013 at La Bastille with the aim of celebrating Seychelles’ cultural heritage and increasing awareness and appreciation of as well as the promotion of the islands’ cultural heritage. The traditional medicine day saw the promotion of our herbal teas and other activities such as selling of herbal medicine, plants, books, other artefacts and lectures on the use and importance of herbal teas by our local herbalists and youth from local heritage clubs. During these activities, we saw the invaluable participation of heritage professionals, heritage practitioners, especially the local herbalist community and enthusiasts of all ages.
The 2013 Biennale de Dance organised by the School of Dance in the Conservatoire of Performing Arts, saw the participation of choreographers from La Reunion, South Africa and Singapore as they worked alongside local choreographers whereby, following a series of workshops, they produced a fabulous show at the International Conference Centre (ICCS).
The 28th Edition of the Festival Kreol 2013 received full support from the Seychellois community, the stakeholders and fellow Kreols from near and far. It also saw the participation of local artists from all genres, regional artists as well as international performers coming from Haiti and Dominique who graced our stage at the centre of the Capital of the Creole World, Victoria. Victoria resonated with Creole vibes and rhythm as the people danced with all their heart in tune to the Moutya beats. The Festival as a whole created a Creole spirit and received acclaimed reviews by all the 25 or more international journalists who attended and documented the event.
We have now been challenged to keep the same vibe and expectation for 2014 and although we do have a strong team, we nevertheless need not forget our responsibility and commitment and the fact that we are the custodians of our culture and should ensure the promotion and development of our cultural values and keep our traditions alive through popularized manifestations.
In November, the Culture Department launched the Cultural District Award, a national award seeking to recognize districts that have excelled in different areas of Culture, and provide them with an opportunity to showcase their cultural assets. The aim of the Award scheme is to ensure that the Culture of Seychelles does not remain the overall responsibility of the Ministry, as well as ensuring that the Ministry is a facilitator and continues working with other partners to ensure the districts remain one of the major platforms whereby culture is nurtured and allowed to flourish. This will provide the proper encouragement and guidance for our culture to be better appreciated at local district level – and as a result impact at a national level.
Christmas with the Stars musical show was the last event on our calendar for 2013 and once again, with the support of our faithful partners, artists and staff, the Ministry of Tourism and Culture gave the Seychellois families a show to remember. It was the Ministry’s way of saying thank you to the people of Seychelles for their support throughout 2013.
2013 marked many cultural manifestations where people, young and old responded to the Ministry’s call and flocked Victoria in numbers, to be part of all the national events. The Ministry of Tourism and Culture used the Christmas with the Stars musical show to say thank you to the people of Seychelles for their support.
The process of saying thank you and recognizing those who have worked for Culture and for its development of the Seychelles cultural heritage has been now launched in 2013. Pictures of all former Ministers of Tourism and Culture now grace the entrance of the National Cultural Centre as are pictures of performing artists being put up in the Corridor now called the Wall of Fame. This collection is growing daily with families and friends of artists from days gone bye coming forward with more pictures. With the support and guidance of SEYMAS, the Musician’s Association of Seychelles two performing artists were this year recognized in the new ‘Walk of Fame’ where two stars with their names and 2013 were unveiled. Progressively this level of recognition will be continued and the island’s living musical legends will be recognized for prosperity.
Tender process for new artisanal kiosks at the Domaine de Vas Des Pres and for the renovation and management of the Domaine’s restaurant has been completed and work should be starting soon to get the Village fully operational. Work is also starting soon on the Slave Ruins of Venns Town at Mission Lodge in Sans Soucis. After a series of negotiations the Heritage Foundation is ready to with its program to make the Slave ruins more interactive. The Ministry of Tourism and Culture has also now confirmed that renovation works to get the ex-Supreme Building back to its original state and that the National History Museum will be moving into the building by the month of June this year.
The Ministry of Tourism and Culture ended their statement by saying that they relied on the continued support of the People of Seychelles for 2014. "You have help raised the bar and expectations are high for this new year, but I am sure that with your dedication and encouragement we will once again deliver what is expected of us" Minister Alain St.Ange, the Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture said.
