Seychelles Tourism & Culture Minister spoke from the heart as he officially launched the 2015 edition of the Seychelles Carnaval International de Victoria

Seychelles Tourism & Culture Minister spoke from the heart as he officially launched the 2015 edition of the Seychelles Carnaval International de Victoria
 

 

ATP-  arab tourism portal- The speech delivered at the Official Opening Ceremony of the 2015 edition of the Seychelles Carnaval International de Victoria by Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture was an example of leadership.

The Minister was speaking in the presence of a large bank of International Press gathered in Seychelles for this unique carnival of carnivals that was being staged under the theme of the melting pot of cultures. Canadian journalist Carol Perhudof said a year ago that she has come to believe that the "Carnaval International de Victoria" could help to change the world because it’s a celebration of every culture together.

“The Seychelles Carnival is a brilliant tourism idea that helps bring us to a point where we can live in harmony beyond colour of skin, to live in peace with each other,” said Perehudoff, after her first visit for Seychelles Fourth International Carnival. The address delivered by Minister Alain St.Ange at the 2015 edition of the Carnaval International de Victoria covered once again his clear vision for a united Seychelles, for Africa to work with Africa and for the world to be as one.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S.A. journalist and respected columnist Kitty Pope on her part wrote saying that through this "Carnival of Carnivals," St.Ange has no doubt embarked on a global multicultural movement where people can capture the spirit of internationalism to gain a better understanding and appreciation of another country’s culture.

Seychelles Carnival has captured the interest of leaders, tourism officials and travelers alike from the world over. As word spreads near and far among VIPs, media sources and curious tourists, the carnival has continued to get more popular each year.

 So just what is it about St.Ange that has allowed him to be able to successfully devise such an ingenious way to propel people and nations to come together under one accord? For one thing, he has been dubbed a master marketer and promoter by Creole International Magazine, published in the UK, as he was able to turn around visitation numbers to substantially increase tourism arrivals in Seychelles.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Implementing and forging forth the tourism portfolio set forth by President James Michel, St.Ange’s tourism approach and marketing methods have proven to be extremely effective, garnering him invitations from a host of countries and organizations that want to learn about the “Seychelles Tourism Brand” as a guide for replication".

Kitty Pope writes "It was over four years ago that the Honorable Seychelles Minister of Tourism and Culture Alain St.Ange came up with the idea of organizing a huge carnival where nations from around the world could parade their cultures.

With many countries already having their own unique carnivals, St.Ange envisioned an international carnival that would bring nations together in one setting to not only showcase their cultures, but also to help promote an understanding of multiculturalism.

 He went on to launch the Seychelles International Carnival where communities of nations get the opportunity to network and socialize in a relaxed atmosphere. The first of its kind, the carnival, which has grown every year, has come to be known as the “Carnival of Carnivals.”  

St.Ange says that the carnival is a unique world event for bringing nations together where different cultures are respected as well as celebrated. “Even in the General Assembly of the United Nations when some world leaders stand to deliver their address, some delegates walk out, but here respect for everyone is and will remain the key to ties of friendship and togetherness,” he explains.

 

The following is the speech in full. The Seychelles Minister delivered the address in English, French and in Creole, the three official languages of the Seychelles.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minister Alain St.Ange of the Seychelles said:- "Five years ago we had a dream – a dream to create a cultural event that would invite the world to join together in a spirit of dialogue, in a spirit of peace and in a spirit of total harmony, and this immaterial of your religious affiliation, the color of your skin and of your political belief.

 Last year at the official opening of the carnival I stood before you, and as I used the words of John Lennon, I said "You may say I am a dreamer, but I am not the only one".

 

Today I say look at what we can do when we work as one, look at the carnival a small country like Seychelles can stage for the world at large. We had a dream and as the popular Ghana song says "If you dream, dream big, as big as the ocean"- and yes we did dream big for Seychelles.

With the needed tenacity and with determination our dream, and this is for each and everyone of us, our dream can become a reality. As I stand here tonight to open the 5th edition of our carnival I say we have but one Seychelles, and we are but one people.

 

 Let us all look at the past and learn from that past as we embrace peace in the unity we have during this time of carnival.

On behalf of Seychelles and of our co-host La Reunion, On behalf of President James Michel and on behalf of each and every Seychellois, Let President Didier Robert and myself welcome you, Your Royal Majesty Otumfuo, the King of the Ashanti from Ghana, let us welcome your highness Princess Sikhanyiso of the Kingdom of Swaziland, let us welcome our guest of Honour Mr Xavier-Luc Duval, the Deputy Prime Minister of Mauritius, who will be the next President of our Indian Ocean Vanilla islands, and also let us welcome all Ministers who have flown in from far and wide to showcase their culture to the world and in so doing increase the visibility of their respective countries.

 Welcome also to all the foreign delegations joining us again this year. Your support is appreciated, feel at home and join us in working together to make the dream we all have to make the world a better place.

The carnival of carnivals we are staging together is spreading the call for peace through culture. Thank you for being here in Seychelles, and we wish you all a great three days of fun through the explosion of color and through the display of culture in this event called the melting pot of cultures.

Ladies and Gentlemen, your presence today here in the Seychelles demonstrates your faith in the consolidation of your culture. You are proud to float your flag in this cultural event which will help to strengthen your tourism industry through the visibility that the gathered press will bring.

Using culture to strengthen your tourism and to enhance your culture through the tourism is going along the same path like we have done so successfully in Seychelles, and which today bears fruits of real success

Members of the press, thank you for being present. You are our Ambassador  to spread the news of our dream, the dream to create a better  world where peace and harmony reigns et where we all live as brothers

Ladies and gentlemen, people of Seychelles.

We had a dream, we had worked together to acheive this dream. We wanted to create an event which promotes peace, unity and togetherness. Yes, the Seychelles Carnival has succeded and we can proudly say that the carnival has managed to bring different nations and different people together  and in a spirit of total harmony, and this regardless of your religious affiliation, the color of your skin and of your political belief.

Let us continue to dream together to see our Seychelles become the place were unity reigns. One people we are and one nation we have.

The tourism industry remains an industry which unites the people and our cultural events consolidate this unity. The achievements of the tourism industry is the result of the joint government-private sector partnership.