Seychelles March carnival set to capture a whole nation

The Seychelles Tourism Board this week appraised itself of the final list of participants for the 2011 Seychelles “Carnaval International de Victoria.” The Tourism Board’s Chief Executive Officer, Alain St.Ange, has said that visitors and the Seychellois public alike are in for one of the biggest manifestations ever to take place in Seychelles.

A total 20 international floats and 46 local companies are now preparing to dazzle the streets of Victoria on March 5 in a procession, which will provide great animation and surprises. Mr. St.Ange called on the public to come down in large numbers to enjoy themselves and provide support to the carnival participants. The different international floats will each have their own themes, which will heighten the ambiance and add a multitude of colors to the carnival, which is being held under the theme “the melting pot of cultures.”
The Seychellois public and visitors who will line up the streets from Plaisance to the various roads in the town center should expect to see an explosion of colors and sounds and lots of happy faces.

The entertainment program for all three days of carnival activities will be one of the best, with a blend of international guest artists and bands and a host of local singers. “The center of Victoria will literally come to a halt for three days, and people will party on the streets like they’ve never done before. It’s going to be a celebration only seen before on TV but now coming in reality to Seychelles,” said Mr. St.Ange, who added that a lot of people are working very hard to ensure that the event will eventually crown the excitement that is building up.

Probably for the first time in the world of carnivals, so many international navies will be involved and will also participate in the carnival alongside international world bodies.

Mr. St.Ange said different navy ships will converge in Port Victoria to show to the world that they support the Seychelles’ continued fight against piracy in the Indian Ocean. “The world navies are simply saying that the shipping lanes of the Indian Ocean must be secured and safe, and their presence in this international carnival is echoing this message loud and clear,” he noted.

This week also saw Seychelles carnival souvenirs go on sale as excitement surrounding the first “Carnaval International de Victoria” is reaching a high pitch in Seychelles and several souvenir items are going on sale to promote this major event, which is set to dazzle Victoria between March 4 and 6. The carnival items include cups, T-shirts, and caps, embellished with the beautiful carnival logo. The carnival cups have been on sale at the Seychelles Tourism Board’s Information Office at the Independence House since the beginning of this week.

But as of yesterday, members of the public have also been able to buy their souvenir cups along with the carnival CD and lottery tickets at two new sales points in Victoria – the Seychelles Post Office and the Independence House Ground Floor. The carnival cups come in two colors, white and gold, and cost R125 each. As of Monday, the T-shirts and caps will also be available for purchase. Members of the public in Seychelles have been asked to buy their souvenirs early so as to avoid disappointment.