Letter to the Editor - La France en direct! |04 July 2015

I was glad to note this morning that Air Seychelles’ direct flight to Paris had made headline news. Once again Seychelles is directly linked to "La belle et douce France" – the country traditionally reknown for "La joie de vivre" - "Noblesse oblige" - "Plaisir d'Amour" - "La folie des grandeurs" - "Haute Couture" - "Grandes cuisines" – and of course "Grandeur d'esprit".

We do not need a President de Gaulle to tell us that there is nothing small about France "dans le domaine de grande valeurs et de grande culture". Yet, over recent years, we appear to be committed to drift away from our French cultural dimension as we go out of our way to promote and manifest our "Kreolite" at the expense of our "Créolité".

I am happy to see that the spirit of "La Liberté, L'Egalité et La Fraternité" is allowing our new generation to compose and sing more and more Kreol-cum-Creole songs. But at this time of noble change, let us remember that "La France" is also the country of "La Renaissance" and that many Seychellois would have rejoiced to hear "Je suis la plus belle des îles", echoing during the National Day Parade Show.

It was really amazing to see a contingent of a French Naval-cum-Airforce Parachutists descending on our soil from the sky in the spirit of "Dare Devils". But there is more to Seychelles connection with France besides "La considération géopolitique". There is that side of "La mer qu'on voit danser"; that side of "Jattendrais le jour et la nuit"; that side of "Auprès de ma blonde". Let us accept that a bit more of this side of the coin will give utmost pleasure to "Les Français" who constitute the largest national contingent visiting Seychelles.

I have hanging in my office a framed letter from President Georges Pompidou, dated the 22nd of June 1971 -

"Monsieur Le Premier Ministre,
A l'occasion de votre récent voyage en France, vous avez eu l'amabilité de m'adresser un exemplaire de l'ouvrage "Les Seychelles, Iles d'Amour". Je vous en remercie très vivement.
J'ai été tout particulièrement sensible à votre chaleureuse dédicace et à l'attachement pour la langue et la culture françaises dont elle témoigne.
Croyez que, de son côté, mon pays n'a pas oublié le peuple des Seychelles qui, dans le passé, a été si étroitement lié à son destin et qui contribue aujourd'hui au rayonnement de la langue française dans l'Océan Indien.
Veuillez agréer, Monsieur Le Premier Ministre, l'assurance de ma considération la plus distinguée.
(Signé)
Georges Pompidou
Président de la République Française."

This letter was written some 44 years ago and bringing it to the notice of Seychelles public opinion is certainly most relevant at this time.

Thank you, Editor for your space.

Au revoir et à bientôt.

James R. Mancham