2015 Carnaval International de Victoria - Sponsors chip in again for a more spectacular carnival |14 April 2015

The fifth Carnaval International de Victoria promises to be the biggest and the best so far, with more local and international groups taking part, double coverage from international press and an entertainment the first of its kind covering the whole of Victoria.
This year’s carnival will take place from April 24-26.

The new elements this year are the route for the carnival parade, new seating arrangements for judges and VIPs, well-known international entertainment groups and DJs, a larger scale of entertainment in Victoria, new activities in town including the kiddies’ carnival.

This was revealed yesterday by the Seychelles Tourism Board’s (STB) chief executive Sherin Naiken when giving an update on the stage of preparation of the event in the presence of the press and sponsors of the carnival at the STB’s headquarters at Espace building.

As has been the case for past carnivals, Air Seychelles, Airtel and Eden Island are the main sponsors while Tanmi Production is responsible for entertainment.

“Twenty-nine countries have confirmed their involvement with twenty having a delegation in the float parade. There are thirty-two local floats which, all together, will create a huge and long carnival this year,” said Mrs Naiken.

She also said the route, entertainment venues and those who are entertaining have already been decided upon.

“On the press side we have had the confirmation of about a hundred international media houses from about thirty countries taking part,” she said, adding that Seychelles is getting double coverage as these media houses are covering the event itself and the country as a destination.

As official airline partners, Air Seychelles and Etihad Airways have sponsored return flights for the event, preferential cargo rates and an excess baggage allowance per passenger, worth a combined value of R5 million.

This follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Air Seychelles’ chief executive Manoj Papa and Ms Naiken at the STB offices.

Ms Naiken said those airlines’ support is vital for the success of the carnival, which is now a firmly established event that spreads the message of Seychelles to the world.

“Air Seychelles is proud to be associated with the Seychelles carnival, which is a unique opportunity to celebrate the diversity of Seychellois culture while developing the growth of tourism,” said Mr Papa in a press release.

James Hogan, chief executive of Etihad Airways said: “We are happy to sponsor the Seychelles carnival with Air Seychelles for a second year running and look forward to bringing journalists and those taking part to the archipelago for the celebrations.”

Airtel being the principal telecom sponsors for the Carnaval International de Victoria informed the gathering that the company wants to nurture such partnership to ensure the country, STB and also Airtel benefits to the maximum from the event. The company says it is about 80 percent ready to ensure that telecom services are provided on that day.

Joseph Sinon of Tanmi said the entertainment programme for the event is almost ready and his production company plans to cover the whole of Victoria with entertainment at such venues like Market Street, around Deepam Cinema, at the waterfront where there will be a Creole village, Freedom Square, Stad Popiler car park, to name some.

Former carnival songs will be relived and tribute will be paid to artists who have done well before. As for international artists, they will be performing mainly on the Sunday following the main carnival parade.

Mr Sinon also made a special mention of the kiddies’ carnival which will be held on Sunday April 26 starting at the Paradis des Enfants.

STB has called on the support of inhabitants of districts who can help in bringing the kids to the carnival and back.

The organisation is also appealing to those responsible to stop vandalising the decorations put up in the streets of Victoria for the occasion.