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250th anniversary of Seychelles kick off with a bang |28 August 2020

250th anniversary of Seychelles kick off with a bang

Cutting a commemorative cake in celebration of the milestone event (Photo: Joena Meme)

Dignitaries and high-ranking officials, including Designated Minister Macsuzy Mondon and Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine Didier Dogley, joined the 250th National Preparatory Committee members, the Seychelles Heritage Foundation (SHF) and other partners, to mark the opening of the celebrations and the start of activities planned to commemorate the milestone event.

This took place at Maison Marengo, Domaine de Val de Pres, Au Cap, yesterday afternoon.

The brief ceremony celebrating not only the arrival of the first settlers, but also the rich and diverse Seychellois culture and heritage 250 years on, was a showcase of all things ‘creole’ and typically Seychellois, from the décor, to the entertainment and refreshments served to invitees.

Chairperson of the 250th anniversary of Seychelles Committee Sherin Francis, in her address recounted the historic birth of the nation in 1770, when the first group of settlers – twenty-eight persons of different ethnicities – landed on the shores of Seychelles and made it their home.

“During the past two years, the committee and partners have thought up creative ways to commemorate the milestone anniversary. We had much hope when we launched the activities which were initially scheduled over one year,” she said, explaining that activities have been scaled back on account of health protocols in place as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Despite having scaled back the celebrations, Mrs Francis acknowledged accomplishments thus far including the commemorative coins and merchandise on sale as well as activities organised at district level.

Other related projects including a book are expected to be available for purchase in the coming weeks.

The ceremony was also an opportunity to launch the official song and video for the celebrations, a feat realised by songwriter, composer and Mayor of Victoria David Andre.

Additionally, principal secretary for Culture, Cecile Kalebi, launched the traditional medicinal plants bazaar which will be open to the public over the weekend. Local herbalists and experts will be on hand to advise interested shoppers and those who are simply curious to learn more about the healing properties of our endemic plant species.

To close the ceremony, owner of local rum-manufacturing company Levasseur, Marco Francis, presented a bottle of the limited edition 250th anniversary celebrations bottle to Minister Mondon, PS Kalebi and chief executive of SHF Rose. Only 250 bottles of the limited edition bottles have been manufactured.

 

Laura Pillay

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