Seychelles Delegation Heads to India for 37th Surajkund International Craftmela
VICTORIA, Seychelles — A group comprising 14 performers, two traders, five artisans, a technician and a head of delegation is set to leave Seychelles for Haryana, India, on Tuesday, to take part in the upcoming 37th Surajkund International Craftmela. The annual event is taking place between February 2 and 18, and over the years it has transformed into a spectacular international occasion for viewing the finest handicrafts. The Seychelles delegation will be part of a wider international contingent, with more than 30 countries usually represented at the fair each year.
The delegation’s trip has been made possible thanks to the Indian High Commission in Seychelles and the National Arts and Crafts Council (NACC). A sending-off ceremony was held on Monday afternoon at the National Theatre, Mont Fleuri, where the High Commissioner of India to Seychelles, Kartik Pande, and NACC executive director Jimmy Savy handed over plane tickets to the 19 delegates, along with the necessary attires for the weather. The ceremony was a small but formal affair, and the mood among the delegates was described as excited and a little nervous at the prospect of representing the country at such a large event.
This year, the focus will be on the youth of Seychelles, as well as trading between the two countries. Speaking at the send-off, High Commissioner Pande described the Craftmela in glowing terms. It is the largest crafts fair in the world and it welcomes around one million people in the two weeks that it is held, meaning you will have a lot of exposure to different people, he said. Mr Pande added that he is overjoyed that the fair has become a regular part of the bilateral calendar. What is delightful for me is that youngsters are participating. They have a lot of energy, added the Indian high commissioner.
Head of delegation, Benoit Julius, said this year’s trip is a bit exceptional as traders will be engaging with their Indian counterparts and showcasing their artisanal products. There will be specific people who will guide them around and show them the potential of trading with India, he explained. Mr Pande added that the objective of the Craftmela is to invite master crafts people from everywhere, and that the Seychelles participation fits squarely within that goal. The trade and exposure components are expected to be as important as the cultural showcase, with both the High Commission and NACC framing the trip as a chance to open up new commercial links.
For the young performers, the trip represents a rare opportunity to perform on a large international stage and to learn from peers in other countries. The artisans, meanwhile, will be showcasing traditional Seychellois crafts, and the traders will be exploring the potential for new import and export lines with Indian counterparts. The delegation is expected back in Seychelles in the last week of February, and a full report on the outcomes of the trip is likely to be released by NACC in the weeks that follow. The High Commission has indicated that it intends to continue supporting the Seychelles participation in the Craftmela in future years, regardless of the size of the delegation.
