Seychelles-China Day from February 13-15 |04 February 2015

After it was organised for the first time last year, the second Seychelles-China Day this year will be held from February 13-15.

The Seychelles-China Day, which coincides with the Spring Festival which marks the Chinese New Year, is one of the festivals which celebrate the origins and identity of the Seychellois people, or the five branches of our culture. The four others are Fête de la Francophonie which is celebrated in March, FetAfrik in May, Seychelles-India Day and Festival Kreol which both take place in October.

The highlights of this year’s Seychelles-China Day will be the visit of two cultural troupes from the Chinese districts of Shunde and Chengdu. The Shunde Group will perform at the opening ceremony at Eden Island in the evening of Friday February 13 and during a Chinese bazaar at the National Cultural Centre the following day.

Guests at the opening ceremony will also have the opportunity to view an exhibition of photos on China, while the bazaar will include sale of typically Chinese food and other products. The Confucius Institute will also be present to promote Chinese knowledge.

As for the Chengdu Artistic Group, they will offer an exclusive performance at the International Conference Centre (ICCS) on Sunday February 15 at 3pm. Entrance to the show will be free, but as only 600 seats are available tickets are to be collected at the National library.

Another dance troupe which will feature in the festivities will be the ‘Lion Dancers’, a group of Seychellois artists trained by Chinese choreographers. Their instruments and accessories have also been provided by the Chinese embassy in Victoria.

The Seychelles-China Day is organised by the Chinese Association of Seychelles with the collaboration of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture and the Chinese embassy. Another sponsor is the Seychelles-China Trade and Business Promotion Association.

The chairman of the Chinese Association of Seychelles, Charlie Ng Ping Cheun, is inviting everyone to take part in the first major event on the Seychelles’ cultural calendar.

“Seychelles-China Day is a festival not only for Chinese but for Seychellois also. Seychellois must also find their place in the event. Everybody is welcome and we are inviting everyone to once again discover the Chinese culture and the link between our two populations and cultures,” he said.

Mr Ping has announced that his association is already preparing for the third event’s Seychelles-China Day which hopefully will be held in the new Chinese Pagoda currently being built on Benezet Street. Its promoters are making a fresh call for donations as only three thirds of the needed funds have so far been secured. The project which will cost R10 million is being funded by the Chinese and Seychelles governments and the local Chinese community.