Seychelles acknowledged as Çulture Pot
VICTORIA: By William Faria
Almasalla Arab Travel Portal News – This year s fourth edition of the Carnaval International De Victoria at the City Stade Popiller came to a successful end as Kenyan troupes actively participated in the three-day event that was marked by a colourful pageantry.
The annual event that opened last Friday evening was also attended by Seychelles President James Michel along with his cabinet led by Tourism and Culture Minister Alain St.Ange.
A cross-section of diplomatic corps and international cultural troupes also graced the event.
Downpour a blessing
A continuous heavy downpour in the islands capital, Victoria during the opening day almost threatened to mar the event, but thanks to a bout of sunshine that shone across the island bringing hope of yet another successful event.
The tropical carnival of the Indian Ocean Vanilla Islands has no doubt secured the fifth spot on the global scene, indicating that the event has indeed established itself perfectly during the short span of 4 years.
This has been as a result of the tireless efforts of the Seychelles Tourism Board’s (STB) dedicated team led by Minister St.Ange, described as the man of the people and a friend to the global media fraternity.
Maasai dancers
Kenya’s Maasai dancers had been well in attendance for the second year running after having featured in the third edition, held last year.
The minister noted that the new approach of showcasing one’s culture and people has made tourism destinations more visible and in ensuring that all remain relevant to the world of tourism.
Africa’s unity
‘In so doing, we are all saying that we are not ashamed of our culture and that we respect our people enough to place them at the center of our development. Thank you for believing that in working together the region will grow, thank you for believing that Africa must work together to have a strong tourism industry and a better economy, as we all join together to showcase the spirit of unity to the world at large,” said St.Ange.
Kiddie’s carnival
Sunday also witnessed for the first time, a special Kiddie’s Carnival that wrapped up an otherwise grand finale. The kids put up a superb display in the presence of a mammoth crowd as they showed off their talents and displayed the ‘Made in Seychelles’’ costumes that added a lot of flair and funk to the occasion.
A record number of local floats and troupes from the archipelago, this year showed vast improvement in both creative design and innovation.
‘’You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one. I hope someday you’ll join us and the world will live as one,”’ the minister echoed the lyrics of singer John Lennon.
These words echoed by John Lennon are so suited to what we are all doing together for our region and for the world at large, said St. Ange.
What a better gathering here for this Carnival with participants whose firm belief is the consolidation of world of tourism,’ St Ange said.
“We are cognisant of the fact that all our respective tourism offices spend a fortune annually attending tourism trade fairs across the globe searching for visibility that ensures our relevance as tourist destination,” he added.
Seychelles hospitality
Seychelles warm hospitality was well received by carnival enthusiasts who thronged to the tiny Indian Ocean island nation of Seychelles streets to catch a glimpse of the various international cultural troupes parading from the Community of Nations as colourful decorations, banners and colourful costumes were the order of the week.
Seychellois Homecoming
At the close of the event, Minister St.Ange called on all Seychellois people living in the four corners of the world to make the year 2015 a great one, as it will feature a special ‘Seychellois Homecoming’ to enable them all to appreciate what is taking place in Seychelles. The dates for the 2015 Carnaval International de Victoria has been set for April 24 to 26.
It is indeed very likely that the 2015 edition will be a sell out as the popularity of the colourful parade spreads further and further across the horizon.
Global heights
In his concluding address the minister said ‘If WTO (World Tourism Organisation) acknowledges the organisation of Vanilla Island, it is because we remain a group which aims to consolidate the Indian Ocean as the new tourist region, and this will ensure that the islanders of our respective islands will continue to feel involved in their tourism industry and they will defend and they will protect because their tourist industry belongs to them.’”
He went on to remark that even in the General Assembly of the United Nations when some World leaders stand to deliver their address, a section of delegates walk out, but here respect for everyone is and will remain key to the ties of friendship and togetherness, these ties we are all working to deliver for the Community of Nations at large.
Media fraternity
“You will all agree that nowhere in this world can you interact with so many important press as you are able to do here in this carnival of carnivals,” said the minister as he pointed across the 150 journalists from around the world who attended the colourful occasion.
Participating countries
Full scale delegations this year came from Brazil, China, Germany, the UK, Indonesia, South Africa, Reunion, Rodrigues, South Korea, Russia, Trinidad & Tobago and also from Mozambique, which together with the Kingdom of Bhutan, Switzerland and Bangladesh were the first time attendees. Other countries present were Italy, Kenya, Madagascar, Lesotho, Zimbabwe and Swaziland. Michael Quinn and the Bourbon Kings and Lisa Harley and Zydekats from the United States also performed at the opening night on Friday.
The foreign participation was well boosted by over thirty local floats put together by leading companies such as Air Seychelles, the Kempinski Seychelles Resort, the Constance Ephelia Resort & Spa, Le Meridien Fisherman’’s Cove and the Seychelles Tourism Academy among many others.
A perfect mix
The Seychelles parade was a perfect mix of local and international participants and the turnout of Victorians, along with residents from the neighbouring Mahe, Praslin and La Digue, besides the visitors who flocked to line the streets of Victoria made the extravaganza complete.
St.Ange noted that once the Indian ocean island had decided to stop promoting themselves as a sun and sea destination and focus on its people and culture, Seychelles saw an exponential growth in its tourism industry as it welcomed the international visitors.
Cultural pride
“By using culture to promote tourism, you are giving substance that you could never have given in the past,” he said.
St. Ange who has been instrumental to bring Seychelles to the global height, added that he was proud of what the islands had achieved in creating a ‘carnival of carnivals”.
He added that it was an event that today has taken root in the calendar of events around the world.
