Minister Faure praises song contest winners |25 June 2009

He was speaking during the prizegiving ceremony, held on Tuesday at the Seafront Restaurant of the International Conference Centre.

Mr Faure said through their lyrics and music, the National Day song winners were able to open up new frontiers and bring us together as a nation in the spirit of unity. The songs reflect what unites Seychelles as a nation.

He said the artists were inspired by various themes such as our nation, its history, the colours of our flag, the beauty of our islands and the hopes for our country’s future – all of which were well explored.

On behalf of the government and the committee, he thanked the artists and the seven choirs that took part in the National Day cultural show and praised them for their success and their team spirit.

Mr Faure said the choirs worked closely with the committee, which observed the work they did, especially during recording. They rose to the occasion for the National Day celebrations, he added.

Also attending the prizegiving were Minister for Community Development, Youth, Sports and Culture Vincent Meriton, the winners, leaders of the seven choirs and members of the committee.

As the grand winner, Patrick Joseph received a cheque for R25,000 for the song Koste Seselwa, followed by Garry Florentine in second place with R22,500 for his song Ler Nou Ansanm Nou Pli For.

Third-place winner Elijah, who scored 184.5 points with the song Koste Ede, won R20,000, and in fourth place was Chicco with his song Fyer Pour En Seselwa, winning R17,500.

Simon Amade, in fifth place with the song Koste Mon Pep, won R15,000, while Michelle Marengo in sixth won R12,500 for Mon Nasyon and the RJ Group received R10,000 for the seventh-placed song Koste Koste.

Two songs scored the same number of points, 166, and were both placed eighth. John Wirtz with Koste, Koste Mon Pep and Rainbow with Ansanm Dan Larmoni both won R7,500.

Clive Camille and Beverly Isaac with the song En Sel Fanmiy received R5,000 and Telcy was in 10th place, receiving R2,500 for the song Pour Lanmour Nou Patri.

Apart from the cash prizes, all winners received a certificate of recognition.

Leaders of the choirs also received a token of recognition for taking part in the celebrations.
 
The winners and choirs were also congratulated by principal secretary for youth, sports and culture Denis Rose, who was also the chairman of the working group within the national day organising committee in charge of the contest.