‘Viva Seychelles, y viva España’ |12 April 2014

The inter-cultural week ‘Viva Seychelles, y viva España’ got off to an upbeat start yesterday with an open air concert on the grounds of the National Cultural Centre.
The concert saw performances by La Tuna troupe from Spain and the National Troupe and it was hosted for residents in all the children’s homes on Mahé.

“We have decided to host this event for the children so that they can appreciate the culture of a foreign country,” the Minister for Tourism and Culture Alain St Ange said in his opening address in the presence of principal secretary for tourism Anne Lafortune.

“With them appreciating a foreign country the children will understand that each country has its own culture and they will grow up appreciating ours. And I’m personally delighted that tourism and culture are part of the same ministry for I believe that the tourism industry will grow as the culture of our country develops and have a place in the heart of each Seychellois,” Minister St Ange added.

Speaking to Seychelles Nation, Iñaki Fernandez, guitarist and vocalist in the La Tuna troupe, said: “It is a pleasure to be here in Seychelles. La Tuna is very happy and we feel much honoured to be performing here for the Seychellois. And we are very excited to experience the Seychelles culture.”

The children were visibly happy to experience some Latino music judging by the way they tapped their feet to the rhythm.
Our accompanying photographs show La Tuna musicians and the National Troupe dancers strutting their stuff during yesterday’s open air concert.