Annual Christmas Tree Competition – 2021   Anse Etoile crowned best decorated district   By Roland Duval   |24 December 2021

The winning work of Anse Etoile

Anse Etoile is the grand winner of the inaugural Christmas Tree Decoration competition in the district category, organised by the Ministry of Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment (MACCE) in the effort to bring the festive spirit into the community.

Launched last year, the competition initially featured only two categories which were school and home.

However, due to interest and requests from last year, this year the MACCE introduced three new categories which were districts, private sector-civil society, and public sector organisations.

For this year’s competition, apart from recycling, there was the option to make a Christmas tree using natural decors or locally made decors.

The aim was to encourage people to start creating their own local decors instead of importing finished ones.

The main criteria were diversity of recycle or natural materials used, originality and uniqueness of the designs-décor, creativity, coherence, and craftsmanship of the tree, overall appearance-appeal and visual impact (day and night) and also the bio-degradability, or re-usability.

Christmas lights and other electrical devices were allowed to enhance the visual appeal-effect of the decorations, while finishing craft materials such as ribbons, paints, fabrics, and other accessories were also allowed.

The judging took place during the first two weeks of December for the districts, private sector-civil society, and public sector organisations categories, while for the schools, the judging took place end of November. 

Winners in all categories received their prizes yesterday afternoon in a special ceremony at the Botanical Garden, in the presence of Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment Minister Flavien Joubert; Minister for Local Government and Community Affairs, Rose-Marie Hoareau; principal secretary for Environment Denis Matatiken; partners and sponsors of the competition.

Minister Joubert reminded everyone present that the subject of environment is not only an issue for the MACCE, but a subject that needs the involvement, support and commitment of everyone living in the districts and communities.

He thanked all the partners for their continuous support towards the project which he said keeps growing every year.

The second position for the district category went to Bel Ombre, while Port Glaud finished third overall.

English River and Anse Royale both won prizes for best effort.

In the home category, Arianne Poussou of Anse Aux Pins was the grand winner, finishing in front of Desiré Pointe of Anse Royale.

Andrea Bristol, also from Anse Royale was third overall, while Louisa Labiche of Baie Lazare received the prize for best effort in the category.

In the private sector-civil society group, Diversity in Intelligence was the grand winner, leaving the Hilton Gastro in the runner-up position, while Lemuria Praslin finished third overall.

For the public sector category, L’Union Estate won the top prize, pushing the Victoria Market into the second position, while the Seychelles Institute of Art and Design (SIAD) finished third.

For the schools, the English River secondary was the grand winner, finishing ahead of the Beau Vallon primary and the Perseverance secondary schools which finished second and third respectively.