RENEWED PARTNERSHIP

Seychelles and La Reunion sign co-hosting agreement

BY DR. WOLFGANG H. THOME, ETN UGANDA | FEB 11, 2013

SEYCHELLES (eTN) - The President of the Regional Council of the French island of La Reunion, Mr. Robert Didier, and Seychelles Tourism Minister, Alain St.Ange, signed a new agreement on the sidelines of the just-concluded “carnival of carnivals” – the Carnaval International de Victoria - which cements the three-year-old relationship between the two leading Vanilla Island partners for future events.

La Reunion will continue to co-host the annual carnival festival alongside the Seychelles, giving substantial additional exposure in the international tourism markets to La Reunion, which by admission of key staff attending the carnival last week in Victoria has given their tourism sector a major boost vis-a-vis visibility and market penetration.

The renewed partnership allows the destinations to bring other partners on board as well, as was the case this year with Zimbabwe and Madagascar. The Seychelles does expect to sign up additional co-hosts for the 2014 edition of the already globally-renowned carnival festival, which brought the world of carnivalists to Victoria this year with 15 participating countries from around the globe.

Alongside the co-hosting of the festival the agreement also includes further measures of cooperation whereby hospitality students from La Reunion can now study at the Seychelles Tourism Academy and placement programs and Seychelles-based resorts will be availed to them, with reciprocity for Seychellois hospitality students to undergo their industrial training and attachment period in resorts on La Reunion. “La Reunion and Seychelles have a special relationship. We cooperate for the carnival, and we cooperate in the Vanilla Islands initiative. It now needs to see island-hopping packages created by DMCs and for airlines to link the two partner islands so that tourists can visit and explore both. They have very distinct features which are unique and special,” said a regular source from the tourism board in Victoria. Visit www.seychelles.travel and www.reunion.frfor more information and details on the two destinations.

CARNAVAL INTERNATIONAL DE VICTORIA A SMASHING SUCCESS

And the Seychelles carnival is over for this year

Seychelles, carnival, carnaval international de Victoria, Seychelles carnival, Seychelles events

BY DR. WOLFGANG H. THOME, ETN UGANDA | FEB 10, 2013

SEYCHELLES (eTN) - The classic song by the Seekers from 1968 came to mind when the Notting Hill Carnival Road Show Company once again had the cat whistles in the air and screams of approval filled the streets of Victoria, being the last highlight and the last in fact to close the carnival juggernaut this year. That song “And the Carnival is Over” started playing in my head just as soon as the Seychelles Red Cross Society’s First Aid float had passed and the streets behind the parade filled with people again.

Bigger and better they had promised, and it was a promise well kept as even the normally subdued VIP tent occupants were regularly on their feet as float by float drove by and the groups performed their dances and thrilling shows in front of Seychelles President James Alix Michel, his family, and invited guests which included President Didier Robert from La Reunion, Vice President Foure, former Seychelles President Sir James Mancham, members of the Seychelles cabinet, members of the Diplomatic Corps, and the who’s who in Seychelles society.

Twenty floats put together by groups from abroad, spanning the globe from Brazil to China, the United States to Russia (with love no doubt), from Bali to Zimbabwe, and from India to Italy to name but a few.

The streets were lined with Seychellois and foreign visitors standing several deep on the sidewalks, and those with the wish to see better, found vantage points on rocks and trees, peeping over perimeter walls and out from behind fences to be sure they did not miss a single beat, as the parade made its way through the center of Victoria.

Going by the reaction of the crowd, the top three floats and performing groups came from Brazil, Mauritius, and Notting Hill, though the judges may be good for another surprise yet as especially the local floats showed immense improvements compared to past years, and the dance routines were visibly improved and well rehearsed, as carnival experience took root. Colorful costume creations, well chosen music, and, of course, dance routines and performances showed that the “carnival of carnivals,” the Carnaval International de Victoria, has come of age with the third edition and is here to stay, becoming a magnet for all carnival nations and carnivalists from around the world wanting to participate in Africa’s number one carnival show which brings everyone together regardless, as Minister St. Ange said in his launch address, of religion, politics, race, and creed. The world was united in Victoria, as in particular the participation of Zimbabwe as a co-host showed, affirming the Seychelles’ general policy of being on good terms with everyone, and better, being friends with everyone who wants to be a friend.

Notably, two navy units from India and Russia, took part in performing a traditional march past, with the Russians performing their goose step routine and stealing the show. The two units were coming from their naval ships on visit to Victoria port for some well-deserved R&R from their duty with the international coalition against ocean terror by Somali pirates. They got plenty of applause and for a good reason as the people of the Seychelles know their friends who help keep them safe and appreciate them, no matter from where in the world they come from to extend a helping hand.

The mastermind of the event, now Tourism and Culture Minister Alain St. Ange, could not conceal his broad smiles, and neither could the team around Elsia Grandcourt, Chief Executive of the Seychelles Tourism Board. The rainclouds remained zipped up throughout the parade, and the tourism headswere complimented by President Michel and those assembled outside the Ministry building where the VIP tents had been put up.

“And next year it will be bigger and better and more global again as you will see,” was his instant comment when Minister St.Ange was asked how he felt about this year’s performance. A separate interview with Minister St. Ange will be published here in due course, but for now, congratulations are in order to everyone involved in making the “carnival of carnivals” such a roaring success, especially those often-overlooked enthusiastic individuals from the Seychelles Tourism Board and their countless colleagues from the hospitality and tourism sector, the Seychelles police force who behaved at their Sunday best and were a credit to the country, the Red Cross, and all the volunteers. Thank you for the splendid hospitality, the opportunity to see behind the scenes, and the open access to all and sundry once again, showing the Seychelles have nothing to hide. Until next year for Carnival 2014 when we shall meet again.

GOLDEN ROSE SAMBA SCHOOL FROM RIO DE JANEIRO THRILLS THE CROWD

Seychelles carnival kicks off with a big bang as Brazil steals the show

All performers returning to the stage for a combined bow / Photos © Wolfgang H. Thome

BY DR. WOLFGANG H. THOME, ETN UGANDA | FEB 09, 2013

SEYCHELLES (eTN) - La Reunion, Zimbabwe, Madagascar were the names called out when Alain St. Ange, Seychelles Minister of Tourism and Culture, introduced the co- hosts of this year’s “carnival of carnivals,” the Carnaval International de Victoria, bringing together 3 of the initial 6 Vanilla Islands in the Seychellois capital, alongside twin-center holiday partner, Zimbabwe, which took the leap to join the ranks of the carnivalists this year in an official co-hosting capacity after attending the previous editions as participants.

“President Michel, this has become the biggest tourism event in only 3 years, and we thank you for your support,” said the Minister for Tourism and Culture in his opening remarks before adding, “and we hope that next year more of the Vanilla Islands and more partners from Africa will join the only carnival show which has gone truly global, our ‘carnival of carnivals’ here in the Seychelles.” He also thanked the Seychelles tourism and business community for their “standing 100 percent behind the event” before recognizing Emirates as the official festival airline, which with 12 flights a week from Dubai connects the archipelago like no other airline with the world.

And after officially declaring the festival open, the show truly went on the road, ably conducted by the two MCs, with musical interludes of top performers from the Seychelles and La Reunion separating the group performances which saw the Seychelles; La Reunion; South Korea; Bali, Indonesia; Goa, India; and Zimbabwe getting the capacity crowd at the Seychelles International Conference Centre to its feet.

Winner though, and the screams from the audience were more than enough evidence for that, was the Golden Rose Samba School from Rio de Janeiro, which thrilled the crowd with their moves, and with their costumes which needed no wardrobe malfunctions to see quite a few husbands in the audience getting a wifely elbow into their ribs while told “close your mouth darling.”

This opening show clearly was but a promise of things to come when the 2-hour parade gets underway on Saturday afternoon in the heart of Victoria, when the floats will bring out the carnival best and when one attraction chases the next down the streets of the Seychelles capital city to the delight of the expected 20,000+ spectators lining the route.

After the parade a number of local music groups and performers will entertain the crowds deep into the night, and food stalls and impromptu bars will provide the sustenance to see spectators turn into carnivalists themselves as Victoria’s largest street party will go on into the early hours of Sunday, only to continue with another food fiesta and all the floats being on display, close up and personal, for Victorians and Seychellois from the other islands at the national stadium.

The “carnival of carnivals” is now not only the arguably most important festival event in the Seychelles but has also been made a key event in the annual calendar of the Vanilla Island group, where the member islands throw their own weight behind selected festivals held from La Reunion over Mauritius, Madagascar, Mayotte, and the Comoros to the Seychelles. And for the readers the question must arise, why are YOU not in Victoria for this event? Make a date with the Creole island paradise of the Seychelles next year, as Emirates will promote the event with special fares as will other airlines flying to Mahe. Seychelles, truly Another World.

NEW ZEALANDER REPORTER FOR DUBAI EYE RADIO DIES

Fatal boating accident off coast of Africa

Feb 08, 2013

The Seychelles Ministry of Home Affairs and Transport and Ministry of Tourism and Culture have confirmed a boating accident occurred around 9:30 pm on Friday, February 8, in the channel between the main island of Mahe and Sainte Anne Island.

A boat traveling to Sainte Anne Island with 5 foreign visitors and staff of the island resort collided with another boat coming from Cerf Island en route to Mahe with only the skipper onboard, which resulted in a serious accident.

A thirty-five-year-old New Zealander reporter for Dubai Eye Radio, Rebecca Davidson, sustained injuries during the collision, and was pronounced deceased upon her arrival at the Seychelles Hospital. Four persons were taken to the hospital for examination and one of them, a British national, was admitted for observation, and her condition has been described as stable.

In accordance with established procedure, the Seychelles Maritime Safety Administration has opened a formal investigation to ascertain the exact cause of the accident. Simultaneously the Seychelles police have also launched a formal investigation into the incident.

"It is deeply regrettable that this tragedy has taken place, and we are ensuring that a full investigation is carried out. The safety of passengers using ferries between the islands is of paramount importance for our islands, and such accidents are rare. The investigation will reveal the exact causes of the collision and will enable the authorities to take appropriate action," said Minister Joel Morgan, the Minister for Home Affairs and Transport.

The Minister for Tourism and Culture, Alain St. Ange, together with Minister Joel Morgan met with the four visitors at the Seychelles Hospital immediately following the accident to provide all necessary support.

"We would like to express our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Rebecca Davidson. We are saddened by the loss of the life of Rebecca, and the trauma suffered by everyone else onboard. We are doing everything to provide support to the affected passengers and their families," said Minister St. Ange.

Seychelles is currently hosting the 3rd edition of its annual carnival and hosts to large press groups, of which Rebecca Davidson was part of the Dubai Eye Radio delegation.

Seychelles is a founding member of the International Coalition of Tourism Partners (ICTP).

Source: Seychelles Ministry of Home Affairs and Transport

CARNAVAL INTERNATIONAL DE VICTORIA THIS WEEKEND

Seychelles carnival of carnivals gets underway with media briefing

L to R: Seychelles Tourism Board CEO Elsia Grandcourt & Minister for Tourism & Culture Alain St.Ang

BY DR. WOLFGANG H. THOME, ETN UGANDA | FEB 08, 2013

VICTORIA, Seychelles (eTN) - The Constance Ephelia Resort provided a befitting venue for the launch of the third edition of the Seychelles Carnaval International de Victoria, which will have 19 participating foreign groups show off their floats and performances, when the juggernaut hits peak with the parade on Saturday afternoon through the streets of Victoria.

Besides already familiar faces like the Notting Hill Carnival Road Show, this year represented with twice as many dancers compared to last year’s eye candy bonanza and co-hosts La Reunion and Zimbabwe. All eyes will surely be on the Golden Rose Samba School from Brazil, which is a regular sight at the Carnival in Rio. Other groups have come from as far as China and Bali, South Korea and India, and also from the more “regular” carnival nations like Germany. An even larger number of floats representing the who’s who in the tourism industry of the Seychelles, and also the business community at large, will, of course, also feature in the parade compared with past years, as the new-found carnival tradition has firmly taken root now.

Main host country representative and Minister for Tourism and Culture Alain St. Ange was joined at the podium by Didier Robert, President of La Reunion, as well as representatives from the Seychelles, Madagascar, and Zimbabwe tourism boards with the co-hosts given ample opportunity to showcase their own destinations.

Over 100 invited journalists and travel writers from across the world, with notably more Chinese scribes this year in the room, had the Ephelia conference hall packed, as the various speakers talked about what the carnival festival has done for the Seychelles and what Seychelles has done for those willing to partner in the event, like La Reunion and Zimbabwe getting that extra exposure needed to get their tourism sectors into a higher gear.

Following an intense Q&A session, which gave both President Didier Robert and Minister St.Ange the opportunity to highlight the concept of the Vanilla Island Cooperation and the willingness of key islands in the Western Indian Ocean to work hand in hand to promote travel to the diverse region, the meeting moved on to the Seselwa Restaurant of the Constance Ephelia Resort where the management of Constance Hotels in the Seychelles, led by Philippe Guitton, co-hosted with the Seychelles Tourist Board a Creole Night. The evening was filled with Creole music while the scribes and TV teams got filled with the finest Creole food creations that the Ephelia in particular is so well known for, and also with the more “spirited” side of Creole social life.

It was a befitting start for an exciting three days, officially kicking off at the Seychelles International Conference Centre in the presence of President James Alix Michel on Friday evening before Saturday afternoon when the streets of Victoria will be filled with dozens of floats and performing groups from around the world.

It is truly the “carnival of carnivals” time again in the Seychelles, with an event that is bigger, better, and, already with the third edition, a globally-renowned event for which thousands of additional tourists now travel to the archipelago.

Seychelles, Another World… more than worth the visit.

ROMANCING THE MIDDLE EAST

Seychelles tourism ramps up awareness of weddings and honeymoons to UAE market

L-R: Lanie Manalo, Aliette Esther & Lisie Agripine/Photo: Seychelles Ministry of Tourism & Culture

Feb 07, 2013

The Seychelles Tourism Board Offices in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, joined forces with Air Seychelles for this year’s Bride Show from January 30 to February 2 in yet another effort to increase awareness of the wide range of wedding and honeymoon opportunities available to the UAE market.

This is the third year which Seychelles has participated in this annual event which targets mainly, but not exclusively, 14,000 brides-to-be, newlyweds, and honeymoon couples.

This event offers Seychelles the perfect platform to increase awareness of its uniqueness to this market segment whether it is its breathtaking unforgettable locations to hold the perfect wedding or providing an array of experiences for couples to experience a memorable honeymoon. Seychelles offers honeymooners some of the world’s best beaches, spas, and private island experiences.

The UAE and Middle East region is now considered a primary market for Seychelles following its substantial growth the last few years. Combined, it now sits in fourth position as a source market with almost 20,000 visitors received in 2012 which is a 52% increase from the UAE and 47% increase from other Middle East.

“The enquiries and interest received across all segments of the market on the destination during the show surpassed our expectation, and with its geographical location, short flying distance, and no visa requirements, the Seychelles is set to grow from strength to strength in this market segment,” said Aliette Esther, Tourism Attache from the Seychelles Tourism Board office in Abu Dhabi.

Air Seychelles, which codeshares with Etihad Airways, has increased its marketing efforts within the UAE to increase brand awareness to both the UAE nationals and expatriates along with Omeir Travel Agency, its GSA, to its corporate and leisure clients. “With over 70 offices in the UAE only and a client base of over a million, this offers the Seychelles an ideal platform to further increase awareness of our unique destination in this market,” said Lisa Agripine, Corporate Sales Executive, Air Seychelles.

2013 is set to be an even stronger year from the Middle East market, and the Seychelles is ready to welcome all visitors and showcase its true paradise.

CARNAVAL INTERNATIONAL DE VICTORIA

Seychelles welcomes Zambia for first time to annual carnival

Photo from Seychelles Ministry of Tourism and Culture

Feb 06, 2013

Zambia has confirmed that they will be represented at the coming Carnaval International de Victoria in Seychelles this coming weekend from February 8-10. At the last FITUR Tourism Trade Fair in Spain, Minister Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture, and Minister Sylvia Masebo M.P., the Zambian Minister responsible for Tourism and Arts, met and discussed, among other matters, the participation of Zambia at the Indian Ocean Vanilla Islands Regional Carnival that is staged annually in Seychelles.

It is now confirmed that the Zambian Minister for Tourism and Arts will be leading a delegation to Seychelles to participate in the carnival this coming weekend. At a meeting yesterday, the Acting PS Ms. Yvonne Chuluu; the MD of the Zambian Tourism Board, Mr. Felix Chaila; the Chairman of the National Arts Council, Ms. Mulenga Kapwepwe; the Vice Chairman of the National Arts Council, Mr. Skanze Kambole; the Director of the Department of Culture, Ms. Monde Gwaba; and the Director of the National Arts Council, Mr. Victor Makashe met in the presence of Mr. Jimmy Butt, the Seychelles Tourism Ambassador for Zambia, and the decision was taken to send a cultural troupe to the carnival in Seychelles.

On receiving the news, the Seychelles Minister, Mr. Alain St.Ange, said that the Zambian government was moving to showcase their rich culture and their people at the “carnival of carnivals” in Seychelles. “Zambia has seen the importance to promote their tourism industry through culture and by showcasing their people. The carnival in Seychelles will give Zambia the opportunity to sell itself, and all its unique selling points, in front of media from the four corners of the world. They have excellent attractions, not least their Victoria Falls which they share with Zimbabwe, and it is really pleasing to now see that Zambia will be using the carnival in Seychelles, as they do at tourism trade fairs, to promote the unique attractions they have as a country, as a people, and as a proud nation,”
Minister St.Ange of the Seychelles said.

The Zambian Minister will be using her visit to Seychelles to also discuss Tourism Exchange Programs with Seychelles, and to work on an MOU proposal between Zambia and Seychelles. The Zambian Minister is also hoping to discuss cultural cooperation and cooperation in the arts as both her and Minister St.Ange hold arts and culture as their responsibilities.

Zambia and Zimbabwe will this year be host of the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) General Assembly, and Minister Masebo of Zambia will be using the carnival in Seychelles to catch up with all heads of delegations from the Community of Nations to discuss the August tourism meeting in Zambia/Zimbabwe. The Seychelles Tourism Board is working with Zambia to ensure that their Minister receives all the necessary assistance needed during her stay in Seychelles to talk about the UNWTO General Assembly that will be held in Zambia/Zimbabwe in August this year.

RETURN OF SOUTH AFRICA MIDEA MINSTRELS TO CARNAVAL INTERNATIONAL DE VICTORIA

Seychelles carnival welcomes Cape Town minstrels

Photo from Seychelles Ministry of Tourism and Culture

Feb 05, 2013

The second delegation to take part in this weekend’s Carnaval International de Victoria in Seychelles arrived in the country on Monday from Cape Town South Africa. Seychelles has now seen the arrival of six of the famous minstrels performers headed by Kader Miller.

The South African has been participating in the Carnaval International de Victoria since it was first launched in 2011, and this year they are ready to enhance their participation with six of South Africa’s best Midea Minstrels’ performers from Cape Town. The minstrels’ performers form part of a seven-people delegation who will be taking part in this year’s carnival.

“There’s only one word to describe how we feel to attend the carnival again this year… excited! And I can assure all our Seychellois families that we will be able to give them some of the best performances ever. This will be our 3rd year at the carnival, and we now know what is expected to entertain the crowds,” said the South African representative, Mr. Kader Miller.

“We are not the only group representing South Africa this year, but we have the best minstrels’ performers, and we are going to win the heart of every Seychellois people. Our delegation [members] are all professional minstrels, and they are here to win for south Africa,” said Kadar Miller.

Kader Miller expressed the happiness of the South African’s performers for this great opportunity of a lifetime by expressing her gratitude to the Ministry of Tourism and Culture as well as to the Seychelles Tourism Board for organizing this unique “carnival of carnivals.”

“For all of the performers this will be the first time that they will be performing internationally and the first time getting the opportunity to board an airplane. They come from very poor communities, and thanks to the Ministry of Tourism and Culture and the Seychelles Tourism Board for staging such a great event right here in Africa making it possible for us to make this a dream come true for our group,” said Kader Miller.

“I want them to experience the good heart of the Seychellois people. We love the spirit of the Seychellois, because these islands are the ‘melting pot,’ and we are the ‘rainbow people. ‘We are coming to the carnival with the best performers, colorful painted faces, and colorful costumes,” added Kader Miller.

A second group coming from Natal in South Africa is also expected later this week to arrive in Seychelles for the carnival starting this coming Friday, February 8.

TOURISM HEADS DISCUSS CARNAVAL INTERNATIONAL DE VICTORIA

Spain provides backdrop for meeting between Tourism Ministers for Seychelles and Zambia

Minister Masebo from Zambia & Minister St.Ange from Seychelles & their delegations meeting in Spain

Feb 04, 2013

Minister Sylvia Masebo M.P., the Zambian Minister of Tourism and Arts, and Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture, used their working visit to Spain and met alongside the Spanish Tourism FITUR 2013 which they were both attending.

Minister Masebo of Zambia was accompanied at the meeting by Mrs. Charity Mwansa, her Permanent Secretary, and Mrs. Francesca Chisangano Zyambo, Zambia’s Director of Tourism, and Minister St.Ange of the Seychelles on his part was accompanied by Mrs. Bernadette Willemin, the Director for Europe for the Seychelles Tourism Board. The two ministers discussed the Zambian participation at the coming carnival of the equator, the unique Carnaval International de Victoria, that is staged annually in the Seychelles.

The Seychelles Minister made it a point to explain to his Zambian counterpart the uniqueness of the carnival that has now earned the reputation of being the only “carnival of carnivals,” because it is the carnival where all the best and most known carnivals from across the world parade side by side followed by cultural troupes from the Community of Nations. “This year the carnival is jointly co-hosted by Seychelles, La Reunion, Madagascar, and Zimbabwe. This carnival remains the event where tourism destinations can showcase their USPs, their culture, and their people as they proudly fly their flag in front of a large bank of press coming from the four corners of the world. It is a way to promote a country through culture, it is a bit like a tourism trade fair, but using your country’s biggest asset - your people - to work with you to do so,” Minister Alain St.Ange said to Minister Masebo of Zambia.

This year the carnival in Seychelles is being stage from February 8-10 just ahead of lent, and the Minister from Zambia assured the Seychelles delegation that she would be personally looking at ways and means to ensure that Zambia was represented at the 2013 edition of the Carnaval International de Victoria.

UNWTO EXECUTIVE COUNCIL SEAT AND UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE DISCUSSED

UNWTO Secretary General and Seychelles Tourism Minister meet in Madrid

L to R: Minister Alain St.Ange of Seychelles & Mr. Taleb Rifai of UNWTO

Feb 03, 2013

In Madrid this week, Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture, met with Mr. Taleb Rifai, the Secretary General of the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), to discuss the bid by the islands for a seat on the Executive Council of the UNWTO, and also the desire for Seychelles to see the Slave Ruins of their Mission Lodge at Sans Soucis be declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Minister St.Ange took the UNWTO Secretary General through the project referred to as the Slave Ruins at Mission Lodge in Seychelles and asked the Secretary General for his support to save for posterity a site with such cultural value. The Research Section of the Seychelles Ministry of Tourism and Culture is currently working on the submission for the UNESCO, but the Seychelles Minister said as he discussed with Mr. Rifai of the UNWTO, that documents and projects are one thing, but to raise the awareness of the project with such a cultural heritage value was even more important.

“Mission Lodge was formally known as Venn’s Town in the 1870s. It was set up by the Church Missionary Society, a philanthropic group in 1876 to 1889 to accommodate children of liberated slaves. The site is situated on top of a mountain at 450 meters in a national park, far from the main town area, a place unique in biodiversity and history, and commanding one of the best panoramic views of the islands. The last batch of liberated slaves landed in Seychelles in 1875, but Venn’s Town still accepted children born of African parents working as laborers and on plantations. The site symbolizes the beginning of formal education and Christianity for the liberated slave children of Seychelles.

“The site was an important stop along the slave route in the 18th and 19th century in the Indian Ocean and Eastern Africa, and was also an important element in the makeup of the African Diaspora. Venn’s Town of Mission Lodge is a site that demonstrates something in human life that is regrettable, but that took place. It represents an event in the whole world in terms of slavery. These are the symbols of freedom. Venn’s town is the only site in the world that served freed slave children. It is today inhabited and begging to be recognized by the world as a unique historical Site for the World,” Minister Alain St.Ange said to Mr. Taleb Rifai.

After the meeting, Minister Alain St.Ange of the Seychelles told the press that the UNWTO Secretary General was supportive of the call by Seychelles to seek the support of the world body, UNESCO, to work with Seychelles to protect the Slave Ruins of Mission Lodge for posterity. “We are after protecting this site for all to see; a cultural site with a million-dollar view, but for us in Seychelles, a site with a unique cultural dimension out of the commercialization world. We need it to become a site for the world, which is why we are seeking UNESCO to declare it a World Heritage Site,” the Seychelles Minister said.

SEYCHELLES CARNAVAL INTERNATIONAL DE VICTORIA

Seychelles carnival launches spectacular event in just 7 days

Image from Seychelles Ministry of Tourism and Culture

Feb 01, 2013

Seychelles has launched its official program for the third edition of the Carnaval International de Victoria.

The Carnaval International de Victoria remains a spectacular three days of celebrations taking place this year between February 8-10. One of the greatest elements of Seychelles Carnaval International de Victoria is that it not only provides entertainment for all segments of the population and the tourists who are on holiday in Seychelles, but it also gives a chance for international delegations coming from all corners of the world to have a taste of the Indian Ocean islands’ unique experience of the “melting pot of cultures.”

The official opening of the carnival on February 8 will remain in the heart of Victoria, and it again promises to be a spectacular show with all its excesses for a vibrant and colorful open-sky ceremony with the backdrop of the island’s city center Clock Tower. This is the Seychelles replica of Big Ben from the UK. The opening day celebration will continue well into the night with musical concerts and animation in Victoria itself.

One of the now traditional highlights of the Seychelles Carnaval International de Victoria is the procession parade of the international and local floats. This is seen as an extraordinary visual spectacle. This carnival parade takes place on Saturday, February 9, in the streets of Victoria. The parade is not just a celebration, but a competition in which the floats are judged according to various artistic criteria. The announcement of the winning float is on Sunday, February 10, at the carnival official closing ceremony.

The Carnival Fun Day on Sunday is an equally fun-filled occasion. This fun day crowns the three days of festivities where carnival participants and the local population meet, and together everyone can enjoy a special day in an island-filled festive atmosphere.

It is now only seven more days to go before the official opening of the 2013 Carnaval International de Victoria. The artistic and production teams are putting the final touches to the opening ceremony and to the parade procession to make this edition the success it deserves to be.