‘Freedom Monument’ unveiled |01 July 2014

New symbol a tribute to our freedom

A new monument evoking our freedom as well as our unity as a people has been unveiled.

The ‘Freedom Monument’, which represents the people of Seychelles and the fight they have been thorough to gain freedom and for us to be where we are today, was inaugurated by President James Michel on Sunday June 29 to coincide with the 38th anniversary of the country’s Independence Day.

Vice-President Danny Faure, Speaker of the National Assembly Dr Patrick Herminie, president of the Court of Appeal Francis MacGregor, judges, ministers, members of the diplomatic corps and of the National Assembly, Miss Seychelles … Another World Camilla Estico were among other invited guests at the ceremony.

The monument has been designed by sculptor Tom Bowers and it shows a man and a woman standing raising a flag over their heads. It is in solid bronze and it was made in Cape Town, South Africa by Bronze Age Foundry of Cape Town.

The ‘Freedom Monument’ is located on 5th June Avenue on the site where the Liberation Monument, better known as ‘Zonm Lib’ used to stand.

In his address, President Michel said: “We have a duty and obligation to preserve and build on our achievements of the last 38 years. The freedom which the Seychellois nation earned after a very hard struggle would have been in vain if we do not overcome divisions created by political polarisation. Independence Day belongs to all Seychellois, without exception.”

He said that a people needs certain symbols to help keep alive the memories of their past, to illuminate the present and to serve as a beacon for their future.
“A nation must always look at its history in order to build its future, the future is built with freedom,” said the President.

“Today … we have our own monument which evokes, in an eloquent way, our freedom. It also symbolises the unity of our people, patriotism, hope, the march of a nation towards a future full of promises. It represents those who dedicated their lives to freedom, those who fell for freedom. It is also a tribute to our youth. It also evokes the richness and beauty of our environment, without forgetting our national symbols,” President Michel added.

He also asked all Seychellois to let the spirit of the monument guide their thoughts and their actions towards a patriotic fervor, invigorating their love for each other and their love for their motherland.

“Let it inspire us towards a new future, towards a more fraternal world. Let it inspire our efforts to work for a New Seychelles where we have banished hatred, prejudice, recrimination. Let it inspire so that love reigns in our country. Let our sufferings of the past, the sufferings of more than two centuries of history, strengthen our resolve to create a Seychelles that is united and at peace. Let the victories and successes of our past inspire us toward other victories and successes in the future,” noted Mr Michel.

He took the opportunity to thank Mr Bowers, the Bronze Age Foundry of Cape Town, Minister of Land Use and Housing Christian Lionnet and his team for the conceptualisation and preparation of the site on which the new monument stands and Green Island Construction Company under the direction of Glenny Savy for the execution of the works for the project.
 
During the ceremony a group of young people interpreted David Andre’s song entitled ‘Sanson pour Limanite’ while representatives of different work places came up showing the unity in our nation.

Speaking to the press, Mr Bowers said: “It took me only half a day to come up with this concept and for me it represents a nation in a race and they have won the first prize and they are floating their flag over their head as a way to celebrate.”