Spreading the Creole culture over the world through Kreol Magazine |18 February 2017

Georgina Dhillon is a Seychellois who spent much of her childhood and early teenage years living in the Seychelles and elsewhere in Africa. Her desire to encourage the world to feel Seychelles and Creole culture led her to develop a lifestyle magazine, Kreol Magazine, dedicated to the people and places across five continents that comprise the Creole-speaking identity.

Georgina says she had always had a strong affinity to the island. She holds dual nationality in both the Seychelles and the UK, but feels a great sense of pride in where she comes from, meaning the Seychelles. Although she now lives and works in London, Georgina says she does her best to articulate the beauty and splendour of the island and its vibrant culture and traditions. Consequently, she admits she is a very active champion for the Seychelles Tourism Board for whom she is Tourism Ambassador.

Georgina says she launched Kreol Magazine back in 2011, with the help of Rila Publications in London, UK. She tells Seychelles NATION about it in an email interview.

“I’m tremendously proud of the magazine as it has opened so many people’s eyes to Creole culture and the Creole-speaking countries, celebrating their unique ethnic and cultural identity and showcasing it on the world stage. The magazine works closely with a number of Seychellois charities in a bid to assist those from deprived upbringings to make significant, life-changing breakthroughs. We welcome any Seychellois contributors that wish to support any of these valuable causes and help us to promote Creole culture, language and traditions through fantastic features and event coverage,” says Georgina.

Through the magazine, she says they regularly provide free advertising for the Seychelles Tourism Board.

“I recently opened an art gallery in Central London called The Zari Gallery. It features many exhibitions from artists worldwide, but I made a conscious decision to take on board a large collection of works from Creole artists to add a real flavour to my heritage. For many years, I have also been passionate about the Seychellois education system and I continue to work closely with both primary and secondary schools. It’s so important to not only help the leaders of today but guide and educate the next generation,” Georgina remarks.

Keol Magazine compiles stories from all those Creole nations and countries through a loyal editorial team of in-house journalists and freelancers that help to source exclusive interviews with up-and-coming Creoles in a bid to inspire younger generations, giving them role models they can relate to and the belief to pursue and achieve their dreams.

“Our job would also be much harder if it wasn’t for our fantastic research team who do all the groundwork in terms of seeking out interesting Creole individuals, stories and events for our reporters to cover. As you can imagine, living and working in London is not always easy to keep our finger on the pulse of all things Creole. So our researchers are worth their weight in gold,” Georgina says.

Georgina explains due to their in-house and freelance reporters which she described as fantastic at coming up with fascinating and exclusive interviews with young Creoles as well as highlighting the profiles of accomplished stars with Creole heritage, namely Beyonce Knowles and Wyclef Jean, Kreol Magazine believes firmly these types of success stories provide younger generations with the encouragement to make something of themselves.

“The magazine also features exclusive articles on other Creole celebrities, such as musicians, actors, athletes and others in the public eye. We try very hard to shine a light on Creole art and culture, with features on everything from music events and festivals to literature reviews and historical pieces. In our latest issue, we even featured former Seychelles President Albert Rene, which just goes to show how highly regarded our publication is,” she says.

Georgina says she is inspired to drive Kreol Magazine forward by the words of the late novelist, Anthony Burgess, who once said: “It’s always good to remember where you come from and celebrate it. To remember where you come from is part of where you’re going.” She says it is that mentality to peer back through the ages and to see how Creoles, as people, came to be that inspires us to help others and better understand Creole culture as a whole.

Regarding circulation, Georgina says she is delighted to say that the print version of the magazine has more than 25,000 readers across Creole-speaking countries as well as Creole communities in major European and North American cities.

“Our readership extends to diplomats, embassies, honorary consuls, investment bankers, tourism boards, arts and culture organisations, the music industry, private medical clinics in London’s world-famous Harley Street and even GP surgeries across the UK.

We’ve even been able to secure distribution of print copies of Kreol Magazine in a host of four and five-star central London hotels in their rooms, lounges and lobby areas.

The reach of our online magazine is growing by the week. Our current mailing list boasts more than 150,000 worldwide readers and we’re very active on social media channels such as Facebook and Twitter, which are helping to increase our exposure,” explains Georgina.

As there’s so much going on at Kreol Magazine, Georgina believes she would be here for hours if she were to tell everything that is happening to the mnagazine!

“But we have just confirmed a new partnership with Camelia City Smooth Jazz Festival in Louisiana as their international media partner and major sponsor, which is a really great coup for us. We’re always looking to increase our representation at traditional Creole events.

For instance, Kreol Krewe will be representing the magazine during Louisiana’s Mardi Gras season and we’ve also been invited to cover Haiti’s PAP Jazz Festival in March for the fourth successive year.

“All that’s left to say is keep following us and spread the word!” urges Georgina.

Compiled by Marylene Julie