VICTORIA, Seychelles — A cherished Seychellois tradition was brought back to life as the Seychelles National Heritage Resource Council hosted its ‘Tea at 3’ experience, an event designed to celebrate culture, community, and the simple joy of sharing tea in the afternoon during Heritage Week 2026. The Tea at 3 Heritage Week event was held at the Vye Marmit restaurant at Domaine de Val des Pres in Au Cap, forming part of Heritage Week being observed under the ICOMOS theme ‘Emergency Response for Living Heritage in Contexts of Conflicts and Disasters’.
The initiative aims to raise public awareness about the importance of safeguarding Seychelles’ living heritage while encouraging people to reconnect with traditions that once played a central role in daily life. The gathering brought together community members to share stories, enjoy traditional refreshments, and reflect on the cultural practices that define Seychellois identity and heritage.
Heritage Week provides an opportunity for Seychellois to engage with their cultural roots and traditions that might otherwise fade from collective memory. The ‘Tea at 3’ tradition, which involves sharing tea and conversation in the afternoon, was historically a common social practice across Seychelles, fostering community bonds and intergenerational connections that are increasingly rare in modern society.
The ICOMOS theme for 2026, ‘Emergency Response for Living Heritage in Contexts of Conflicts and Disasters’, underscores the vulnerability of cultural heritage worldwide and the urgent need for documentation, preservation, and transmission of living traditions to future generations. Seychelles’ participation in this global observance highlights the importance of protecting intangible cultural heritage against various threats.
The event at Domaine de Val des Pres demonstrated how simple cultural practices can serve as powerful tools for community building and cultural continuity. Participants expressed appreciation for the opportunity to reconnect with this tradition and emphasised the importance of keeping such practices alive for younger generations to experience and value.
The revival of ‘Tea at 3′ during Heritage Week reinforces Seychelles’ commitment to preserving its living heritage and cultural traditions.
