Seychelles reflects on giving Festival Kreol a new soul
ATP- Arab tourism portal- As the month of October dedicated as Creole month comes to an end، Alain St.Ange the Seychelles Minister of Tourism and Culture announced the ministry s intention of giving 2016 edition of Festival Kreol a new soul.
In a press conference at Anonyme Island Resort with local and International Press present to take stock of this year s 30th Edition of Festival Kreol، Minister St.Ange said the time is right to reflect on the way forward with the Festival.
“It is clear after staging 30 editions of Festival Kreol we should now look to be more innovative in our approach to pitch this festival at the next level. We acknowledge the progress made over the many years in staging this even، but we also acknowledge its setbacks and its challenges. This is why for the 31st edition، the Ministry will sit back and reflect on how to give Festival Kreol a new soul’’
Minister St.Ange said it is important for the people of Seychelles to become part and parcel of our country s unique Festival Kreol.
“The people of Seychelles need to see themselves in their Festival Kreol. We should be more pro-active in our approach to stage an event that the people of Seychelles become part and parcel of the Minister said.
Minister St.Ange announced that for the forthcoming Vanilla Islands meeting he will table for discussion a proposition to see how the Creole speaking island members of Vanilla Islands (Rodrigues Mauritius and Reunion) can continue to come together to work with Seychelles in its drive to stage a Festival Kreol that reflects the Kreol spirit within the Vanilla Islands grouping.
His statement received overwhelming support from Pascal Viroleau CEO of the Vanilla Islands who stressed the importance of collaborating efforts from all Creole Islands of the Indian Ocean to stage an event that will bring out their Creole attributes.
Marie- Reine Grondin heading Reunion delegation gave her commitment that the cultural exchanges between Seychelles and Reunion are there to remain.
Jimmy Savy Director of National Arts Council said in this year s edition of the Kreol Festival the participation of local and international artists have been very positive. He said that this showed that the artists were more than ever conscious of using this event and exploring their artistic talents through this unique event.
Patrick Victor the artistic Director of the 2015 Festival Kreol official opening said the ceremony was a success
“The rain during the official opening was a blessing. It shows our true character as a Creole nation.’’
Minister St.Ange thanked the local and International Press for covering Festival Kreol. He also thanked all the sponsors of this year s edition and for Anonyme Island Resort for hosting the press conference and providing accommodation for the International Press.
The Press conference was attended by Benjamine Rose Principal Secretary for Culture and Anne Lafortune Principal Secretary for Tourism.
Also present was Peter Sinon former Minister for Investment Natural Resources and Industry the person responsible for coining the tourism tagline Culture through Agriculture .
