Takamaka wins first-ever Cultural District Award organised in Seychelles opening tourism to grass root communities
ATP- Arab tourism portal- The district of Takamaka, situated in the south of the main island of Mahe, is the grand winner of the cultural district award, the first to be organised in Seychelles by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Affairs, Community Development and Sports.
Representatives from the Takamaka district received their prizes this week during a ceremony held at the International Conference Centre of Seychelles, located in the capital of Victoria.
Attending the ceremony were the Designated Minister Vincent Meriton who also heads the Ministry of Social Affairs, Community Development and Sports, Minister for Tourism and Culture Alain St.Ange, Minister for Land Use and Housing Christian Lionnet, French ambassador to Seychelles Lionel Majesté-Larrouy, members of the National Assembly, principal secretary for culture Benjamine Rose, district administrators and other guests.
Apart from the district of Takamaka, 12 other districts which took part in the competition, received certificates and those that had excelled in the four categories won prizes.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Meriton paid tribute to the victims of the recent terrorist attacks which happened in France and a minute of silence was observed by all.
He congratulated the districts that have taken part in the first competition and called on others to do so. Minister Meriton said his ministry supports this initiative which he said is a good way to promote our culture.
Also speaking was Minister St.Ange who said it is encouraging to see that the districts of Seychelles have come forward to showcase the cultural wealth of their communities.
He added that this initiative is a good way to show how we can bond tourism and culture and help to promote Seychelles.
Minister St.Ange added that such bond can be of great benefit to the people of these districts and for the island’s tourism industry.
The cultural district award was launched in 2013 with the aim of offering districts the chance to showcase their cultural assets, to see how these can contribute to the development of the districts and country in general as well as preserving the cultural heritage across the country.
The four categories are ̶ built and national heritage, artistic heritage, people living heritage, and traditional games and performances.
Anse Boileau, Anse Royale, Au CAP, Baie Ste Anne Praslin, Baie Lazare, Beau Vallon, Bel Ombre, Bel Air, Cascade, English River, Mont Fleuri, La Digue and Takamaka were the 13 districts which took part in this first cultural district award competition.
Apart from winning the grand prize, Takamaka also excelled in two other categories, winning the first prize in the people living heritage, second prizes in the artistic heritage, and built and national heritage categories.
Anse Boileau won the first prize in the traditional games and performances category. In the artistic heritage category, Mont Fleuri came out first while Bel Air was the winner of the built and national heritage category.
Seven districts received a document which will enable the districts to keep working on their cultural project with the commitment and support from the department of culture .
During the ceremony, there were cultural performances from young and old alike hailing from several districts as well as a video depicting the many cultural assets across the country.
