Seychelles: “We are one people with one beautiful culture…” St.Ange

Seychelles Tourism Minister, Alain St.Ange (left) with Nigeria's Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo

“Festival Kreol is a celebration of our Seychellois culture in all its aspects and we must keep supporting it as this event unites us as a nation.”

The former Minister for Tourism and Culture, Alain St.Ange, who now heads the Ministry for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine, echoed these words in his address during the official ceremony to mark the International Creole Day.

Minister St.Ange, who was also the President of the Festival Kreol Organizing Committee, said the event is a reminder that “we are one people with one beautiful culture which we must preserve and appreciate.”

He thanked those who had come down to Stad Popiler to give their support and for believing in their Creole identity and culture.

“Festival Kreol marks us as it gives us the chance to showcase what we are as a nation – the Creole people,” he said.

“Our friends from other Creole-speaking countries have joined us again, and together we have one aim and that is to keep promoting our Creole identity.”

Minister St.Ange said these such events “help us to appreciate where we are and the fact that we live in a peaceful countryside where there is stability.”

These words were said just after the colorful procession called Laserenad, had snaked through Stad Popiler just at 6:15 pm. Young and old dressed in locally-made outfits, danced their way in the stadium to the beats of spicy traditional music such as tinge, the sega and moutia.

Attending the ceremony were President Danny Faure; Vice President Vincent Meriton; Speaker of the National Assembly Patrick Pillay; President of the Regional Council of Reunion Didier Robert; Présidente de la commission coopération régionale, Europe et international Faouzia Vitry; ministers; leaders of government business in the National Assembly, including Charles de Commarmond; and other high-government officials

Also, gracing the ceremony with their presence were members of the diplomatic corps as well as those of the National Assembly, “Miss Seychelles…another world” 2016 Christine Barbier, and Miss Creole des îles international Omegan Jean-Marie Ciseau.

The Creole Institute was used as this year’s theme for the stage decor. On stage, the mistress of ceremony, who is also an actress, Jenita Laporte, joined others to speak about Creole Day as well as the language itself. Marie-Therese Choppy was among those taking part in this official ceremony.

Minister St.Ange, who delivered his last speech as the Minister responsible for Culture, marked the evening by presenting to Seychelles what he calls Gitar Koko Seychelles.

The guitar, with a base made from the coco-de-mer nut, was officially launched and the first one made which was presented to President Faure by Minister St.Ange.

During the ceremony, several performances from artists of the Creole world were enjoyed by all those who were present.

For more information on Seychelles Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine Alain St.Ange, visit alainstange.com

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