Seychelles Chinese Cultural Centre officially opens in Victoria |27 June 2022

The long awaited Seychelles Chinese Cultural Centre (Sant Kiltirel Sinwan Sesel) formerly known as the Chinese Pagoda situated on Benezet Street was officially opened yesterday evening, eight years after its foundation stone was laid on February 1, 2014.

President Wavel Ramkalawan; the Chinese ambassador to Seychelles, Guo Wei and the chairperson of the Chinese Association of Seychelles(CAS), Robert Chong Seng cut the ribbon to open the centre while former chairpersons or their representatives held the ribbon in a straight line.

Meanwhile two Chinese elders – Antonia Dang Kow and Pit Kim Kim Koon – unveiled the commemorative plaque to mark the occasion.

This was followed by the presentation of gifts to the distinguished guests who included President Ramkalawan, his wife First Lady Linda Ramkalawan, Vice-President Ahmed Afif and his wife Stella Afif among other distinguished members of the Chinese community in Seychelles.

Briefly retracing some key facts about the centre it is to be recalled that the laying of its foundation stone was by the late Charlie Ng Ping on February 1, 2014 during the first Seychelles-China Day celebrations. The centre replaces the ‘Pagoda’ built in the early 1900s and which was demolished on May 25, 2014.

Even though the new, modern building does not look like the old Pagoda, it has maintained some key features of the Chinese architecture from its roof down to its moon-shaped gate.

The new centre will also host a shrine to Kwan Tee (Quandi), as had been the case for the old Pagoda.  In the Chinese tradition, Kwan Tee is the God of war who has control over evil spirits and he is also the patron of several trades and professions.  

The building which has three floors has cost around R14 million to build. The required funds were raised through donations from members and friends of the Association, through a bank loan, a lottery among other contributions.

Mr Chong Seng, in his address, went on to detail the different challenges they faced over the years among which the escalating construction costs which caused the work to stop for long periods of time.

“But we never gave up,” he said. 

The centre will host social, educational and cultural activities of the CAS. It will also open to the wider Seychellois public. Cultural cooperation with the embassy of the People’s Republic of China is also expected to be strengthened now that the centre will offer more spacious facilities. Already the Confucius Institute based at the University of Seychelles is assisting the Association with Mandarin language classes for children and with Tai Chi classes as well.

Ambassador Guo Wei described the opening of the centre as a historic moment for the Chinese community in Seychelles.

“It symbolises a new beginning, a new phase in the development of relations and partnerships between the Chinese community and their Seychellois counterparts,” Ambassador Guo pointed out noting that it is an ideal meeting place for different groups in the two communities.

For his part President Ramkalawan congratulated the Chinese community for the marvellous and modern land mark they have succeeded in completing in Victoria through their hard work,  courage, determination and perseverance.

“The Chinese community in Seychelles has a special place in our society and we thank all of you for all your contributions in the development of our country and for all that you are still doing. Thank you for all that you are doing and contributing to make Seychelles what it is today. Congratulations, you have made Seychelles really proud,” said President Ramkalawan.

The ceremony started by a presentation of Tai Chi by a group of women and ended by a Chinese song by a group of young children before the President and other distinguished guests were led by Mr Chong Seng on a guided tour of the different floors of the centre and the facilities it is offering including space for art exhibitions.

The accompanying photographs show highlights of the ceremony yesterday to mark the official opening of the Seychelles Chinese Cultural Centre.

Marie-Anne Lepathy  

Photos by Joena Meme