God transferred from Pagoda in preparation for demolition |27 May 2014

After years that the Pagoda situated on Benezet Street has served the local Chinese community, hosting their weddings, birthday parties, holiday gatherings or simply a game of mahjong, it will soon be demolished to make way for a new three-storey building with typical Chinese architecture.

Before the demolition works can start, it was necessary to temporally transfer God Kwan Tee who had been protecting the building for 112 years to the home of a Chinese resident.

Twan Tee was a famous warlord who lived between 221 and 269 AD. He is the Chinese symbol of loyalty and honesty, and the role model who always keeps his promises and remains faithful to his vow.

More importantly, he is venerated as the God who avoids wars and the Patron God of trade and literature.

The transfer ceremony took place on Sunday morning in the presence of Designated Minister Vincent Meriton, Tourism and Culture Minister Alain St Ange, Chinese ambassador Shi Zhonjung, president of the Chinese Association of Seychelles Charlie Ng Ping Cheun, other members of the Chinese community and friends.

The Chinese ambassador had mixed feelings when he addressed the small crowd present, describing the moment as a dream come true for the Chinese community.

“It is a historical day mixed with joy and sadness, since the Pagoda has been there for more than a century and carries a lot of memories of the Chinese community. It is also a sad moment for many Seychellois but also a new start. This has been the dream of the Chinese community here for many years. The Pagoda is a symbolic beauty of the Chinese community in Seychelles. In eight months the Pagoda will be before us and hopefully we can get together again to celebrate the beauty,” he said.

On his part, Minister St Ange said that as one of the five branches of our origin, the Chinese community should be given its deserved place in our society.

He announced that the Seychelles government will help them raise funds for the completion of the Pagoda.

“The Ministry of Tourism Culture always wants all communities to ascertain their belonging to the Seychellois culture. We want the Chinese community to take their rightful place in the Seychellois society, as it was theirs many years ago. This is why we have organised the Seychelles-China Day. The Pagoda is not for the government or the Ministry of Tourism and Culture. It remains an edifice for the Chinese community. Seychellois, especially those of Chinese decent, will take ownership of the building and help live this part of our culture. On the part of the government, we will help them raise funds for its construction. It is a change from the past, but the start of a new future,” Mr St Ange said.

According to Mr Ng Ping Cheun, the building which will look like a traditional Chinese palace and will include a restaurant as well as a cultural and recreational centre is due to cost R9 million.

Funding will come from the Chinese embassy, personal contributions and proceeds from two lotteries.

The foundation stone for the new Pagoda was laid on February 1, 2014 as part of activities marking Seychelles-China Day. It is hoped that when completed, it will also be a tourist attraction.