Seychelles gears up for dance fest |12 August 2015

The Seychellois public and visitors alike will be exposed to diverse cultures through the art of dance during the forthcoming Biennale de Danses des Seychelles from August 24 to September 8.

Organised by the National Conservatoire of Performing Arts (NCPA) with the collaboration of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, the biennale, now in its eight year, is also aimed at allowing invitees from abroad to have an insight into the traditional dances of Seychelles.

This year’s event will see the participation of ‘Guirlande’, the performing dance company of the NCPA which will also present new dance works from local choreographers Ruth Barbé and Joel Rose.

Guest companies from Réunion, Mauritius and Madagascar will equally be present. Charlotte Pook, a choreographer from the United Kingdom will also be conducting workshops during the two-week biennale.

This year’s programme will include daily dance classes from Seychellois, Réunionnais and Malagasy dance teachers.

All will culminate in a grand show to be held at the International Conference Centre (ICCS) in the evening of September 5. Tickets for the show cost R100 apiece and can be bought at the NCPA and the National Arts Council (Nac).

In a short ceremony at the National Cultural Centre yesterday afternoon, representatives of the event’s sponsors made their respective donations to the principal secretary for culture Benjamine Rose. They are Air Seychelles, Etihad Airways, Seychelles Breweries Ltd, Maritime Training Centre (MTC), Nac, Kankan, Eden Bleu, Eden Island and Mason’s Travel.