Local writer brings out history of La Digue |19 December 2009

Launched at the Liaison Unit of Non-governmental Organisations of Seychelles building in Victoria on Monday afternoon, the book is in both English and French.
 
Mr Durup said he was given valuable help by history professor Yves Combeau from the University of Reunion, whose collaboration on the research took them as far as the streets of London.

In the book, Mr Durup explores various aspects of the island, such as when it was first discovered and colonised, and the developments it has seen over the years. He also gives the original source of names of island people and places, and details of the formation of the Sisters of Cluny.

The book brings La Digue’s story right up to date, describing the current infrastructure and services such as telecommunications, social and sports clubs, theatre and banking facilities.

Present at the launch – where Mr Durup signed copies of his book – were French embassy representative Gilles Pommeret, National Assembly members Charles Decomarmond and Ansley Constance, fellow historian Kantilal Jivan Shah, family and friends.
 
The book was also launched on La Digue, where a sizeable crowd of locals turned up to celebrate being put in the spotlight – and, most importantly, by a local student of Seychelles history.