Thirteen Individuals Honoured for Contributions to Seychellois Heritage

VICTORIA, Seychelles — Thirteen individuals have been recognised and honoured for their contributions to the heritage of Seychelles. The awards, presented at a recent ceremony, are designed to acknowledge persons who have worked behind the scenes and whose efforts have often gone unrecognised. Among those honoured were practitioners of traditional arts, traditional music, and traditional dance, among other practices, who have actively promoted Seychellois heritage.

The recipients, including Marie-Anne Adrienne, expressed their delight at being recognised, with Ms Adrienne saying that she is very happy to be acknowledged, even if she did not expect it. She has been working in restaurants for more than 20 years, where she began making food on wood. ‘If God permits me, I will continue to do it, because this is my passion,’ she said. The award is presented to individuals only once in their lifetime, ensuring that each one is celebrated for their unique contribution and impact.

Three others — Marcel Roselie, Tony Mathiot, and Marietta Matombe — who have passed on were also honoured, with their families accepting the awards on their behalf. Director of the National Heritage Council, Benjamine Rose, underlined the importance of the event as a formal platform to recognise persons and groups who are often not in the public eye. The award ceremony will be organised every two years, and the council is planning to engage communities across Seychelles to identify and celebrate cultural champions in each district in future editions.