Three popular local musicians enter Wall of Fame |08 October 2015

Two artists from Praslin – Joseph Louise and Jean Ally – and Joseph Sinon from Mahe have joined the list of popular names in the music industry to be engraved on the Musicians’ Wall of Fame at the entrance of the National Cultural Centre.

This took place on Tuesday afternoon and the event was organised to coincide with the forthcoming activities to mark this year’s Praslin Culinary and Arts fiesta as well as the 30th anniversary of the Festival Kreol.

The Seychelles Musicians Association (Seymas) and the Ministry of Tourism and Culture honoured the three musicians in a short ceremony  which was attended by Tourism and Culture Minister Alain St Ange, principal secretary for culture Benjamine Rose, National Arts Council (Nac) chief executive Jimmy Savy and other distinguished guests and artists.

Addressing everyone present to witness the event, Minister St Ange said artists who have contributed and are contributing to the cultural development of Seychelles should be remembered for life.

“The Ministry of Culture and Tourism will always support local artists who have contributed to the culture of Seychelles. We have heard their music, danced to their rhythm. Those artists have a gift to produce good quality music that will keep us dancing all night long,” he added.

“With such a potential, such artists should be recognised and honoured through the Musicians’ Wall of Fame. We cannot take them for granted, we need to honour those people who have worked hard, sacrificed a lot to produce good and entertaining music,” Minister St Ange stressed.

Minister St Ange, Ms Rose and Mr Savy presented the three artists with their certificates before they unveiled their plaques.

“We appreciate all the works being done to recognise artists who have contributed a lot to the local music industry. I am more of a comedian than a singer and in the past 20 years I have worked hard to be where I am today – on the Wall of Fame. I thank everyone who has been close to me for the past 20 years, especially Patrick Victor,” artist Joseph Sinon said.

Joseph Louise said he appreciates a lot that people today still listen to his music.

“I thank everybody who supported me throughout my musical career. I thank God for giving me the ability to express myself and deliver such good music and songs which are well appreciated by many people,” Mr Louise said.

Jean Ally also availed of the opportunity to thank all his devoted fans for buying his albums and for appreciating his music.

“I would like to thank all my devoted fans for buying my albums and the minister for such an initiative to promote Seychellois artists,” Mr Ally added.

The other Seychellois artists who have had their stars engraved into the Musicians’ Wall of Fame are Despilly Williams, Jeanne Legge, Thomas Knowles, Fernande Armantine, Francois Havelock, David Philoe, Jany De Letourdie, Patrick Victor, David Andre and Jean Marc Volcy.

The Musician’s Wall of Fame was born during Festival Kreol and with it two shooting stars were Francois Havelock and David Philoe.

During Tuesday’s ceremony the new hymn for this year’s 30th anniversary of the Festival Kreol entitled Rasanble Kreol was launched. It has been composed by a group of artists comprising Sandra Esparon, Joenise Juliette, Simon Amade, Jean-Marc Volcy and Patrick Joseph. 

The artists also received certificates from Minister St Ange who in return was presented with a small token of appreciation by the Tamil Studio.

U-Roy Jules