VICTORIA, Seychelles — The Seychelles National Institute for Culture, Heritage and the Arts yesterday announced its major cultural events for 2025, headlined by the 40th anniversary of the Creole Festival, which will run from 3 to 31 October.
Announcing the calendar at a press conference at the International Conference Centre (ICCS), secretary general David Andre said: ‘Our culture is ours and we should all be guardians of our heritage.’ He confirmed Seychelles’ participation in the Liverpool Angel Field Festival from 25 to 30 March, and the 7th Antoine Abel competition, which will include a special prize. Chief executive of the Creole Academy, Marie-Flora Ben David, said the academy will start with promotional activities in preparation for ‘Salon Lengwistik’ in October, alongside a series of blitz marketing.
Permanent secretary for culture Cecile Kalebi announced the return of the National Arts Award on 26 July, and a major UNESCO project starting in March 2025 and running through June 2026 aimed at developing the creative industry. ‘The project aims to look at the creative sector in Seychelles, the gaps in legislation, the needs of actors to move this industry forward,’ Ms Kalebi explained. Chief executive of the National Arts and Craft Council Jimmy Savy said their main event is the 35th anniversary of the council in October, alongside a dance biennale and the National Arts Festival in July. Executive director of the Seychelles National Resource Heritage Council Benjamine Rose introduced a new Heritage Award scheduled for 25 April, and confirmed that by June, restoration of the clock tower and a new administration building for the SNHRC will be completed, allowing the restoration of the Gran Kaz to begin in 2026.
