60 years of Seychelles’ museums |30 May 2025
‘Knowing I am helping to keep Seychelles’ history alive spurs me on’ – Alana Michel
Alana Michel is a young museum worker who is passionate about Seychelles’ heritage. Despite several challenges, Alana remains committed to protecting and sharing Seychelles’ history and culture. In this interview she shares the love for her work and the importance of museums.
Why choose to work in museums and preserve Seychelles’ culture
“Growing up in a beautiful country like Seychelles, I loved learning about Seychelles’ history and nature. I used to visit old sites and listen to my grandmother’s stories about our elders. These experiences made me want to help protect and share our culture. When I found out about careers in museums, I knew I could help keep our heritage safe and teach others about it.”
What the daily job entails
“I do many things. I help take care of the artifacts, help prepare exhibitions – I work on programmes that teach visitors, especially young people, about Seychelles’ culture and natural heritage. I think of a museum as a special place to learn, share stories, and talk about our heritage. I try to do all these things to help visitors connect with our past.”
The problems faced in this field as a young person
“One big problem is not having enough money and equipment. We don’t always have the tools or technology to take good care of the artifacts or make exciting exhibits. Also, many young people like me want to learn more about museology and conservation, but there aren’t many training programmes here in Seychelles. Sometimes, people with more experience don’t see us as experts. But I see these problems as chances to learn and find new ways to do my work. I take online courses and join meetings with other museum professionals to improve my skills.”
How to stay motivated despite the challenges
“I love Seychelles and want to help protect our heritage. Museums can teach people about our culture and make us proud. When I see visitors enjoy our exhibits and young people get interested, it makes me happy. Knowing I am helping to keep Seychelles’ history alive spurs me on. Every artifact I help preserve and every programme I create reminds me of my important role.”
How can museums attract more young people
“We need to use new technology like virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) to make exhibits fun and interesting. For example, virtual tours or Apps that bring artifacts to life can make history exciting for young people. We also need to let young people help create exhibits and organise activities. Working with schools and local artists makes museums more relevant to them. Using social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram helps us share stories and events to reach more young people.”
Personal hope and that of Seychelles’ museums
“I want Seychelles’ museums to become lively places where communities come together – places for learning, sharing stories, and celebrating our culture. I hope to include more digital tools like online exhibits and 3D scans of artifacts to make our collections easier to access. On a personal level, I want to learn more about museology, conservation, and digital technology. I also want to help guide other young professionals and encourage more support for our heritage sector. My goal is to help Seychelles’ culture grow and be appreciated worldwide and to make sure our history is preserved for future generations.”
Message on the occasion of 60 years of Seychelles’ museums
“This is an important milestone. It shows how much effort has been made to keep our history alive. I am proud to be part of this journey. Museums are very important – they hold our artifacts and tell our stories. They help us feel proud and connected to our culture. We should keep finding new ways to improve and involve everyone, especially young people. Preserving our heritage is a shared job, and I believe that if we work together, Seychelles’ culture will stay strong and beautiful for many years.”
Advice to young Seychellois wanting to work in heritage and museums
“I would tell them to follow their passion and learn as much as they can. There are many online courses and programmes that can help, so don’t be afraid to seek knowledge. Connect with experienced professionals and share ideas. Remember, working in museums involves history, caring for objects, teaching, and talking with people. Be creative and open-minded. Our heritage is very important, and everyone can help protect it. Small efforts can make a big difference. If you care about Seychelles’ culture, your work will matter.”
Text and photos contributed