La Tuna brings a taste of Spain to Seychelles |11 April 2014

Viva la alegriá, el buen vino y todas las Mujeres.
Do you love Spanish and Latino music and culture?

If yes, here is your chance to see the famous La Tuna, one of the Spanish traditional bands who will perform for the first time in Seychelles and bring a taste of Spain here.

Speaking to the local media yesterday morning at his ministry’s conference room at the National Cultural Centre, Tourism and Culture Minister Alain St Ange said the La Tuna band’s visit is very important as it will help open up Seychelles to Spain and the rest of the world.

“We are happy that a private company – Mason’s Travel – has worked with us to bring the famous La Tuna group to Seychelles. It shows that culture blends very well with tourism,” said Minister St Ange who was accompanied at the press conference by tourism principal secretary Anne Lafortune.

“This cultural exchange which comes on the eve of the fourth Carnaval International de Victoria will open Seychelles to the world. It shows that culture can be used to promote tourism and this is a new beginning,” the minister added.

Iňaki Fernández, sales manager at Mason’s Travel, said the visit of the La Tuna band will help integrate the two cultures and promote Seychelles in Spain.

“La Tuna is a musical icon for tradition and culture in Spain. They play traditional Spanish and Latino music and is a symbol of joy, entertainment, humour and romance. La Tuna are very popular among the Spanish and Latinos,” Mr Fernández explained as he called on all Spanish-speaking people living in Seychelles and Seychellois to come down in numbers to enjoy the three shows.

The first open air concert is today at 5pm outside the National Cultural Centre for orphans. The second – a cultural exchange – is scheduled for Wednesday April 16 at the Bazar Labrin at Beau Vallon and will start at 5pm.

On Thursday April 17, the Spanish musicians will serenade those present at the Eden Island jetty in a cultural joint performance with Seychellois troupes.

The tradition of La Tuna dates back to medieval Spain, when students with some musical prowess paid their tuition fees by playing in taverns and ale-houses. Sometimes they were even roped in by faculty deans to play and sing at solemn university functions.

The band plays a great variety of Spanish and Latin melodies and rhythms such as rumbas, flamencos, pasos dobles, boleros, tangos, sones and baladas.
Viva Seychelles y viva Espaňa.

G. G.