Seychelles to showcase craftwork and traditional music at Indian craft fair |01 February 2023
Delegation leaves the country today
Four artisans and a music band, ‘l’Echo Group’, leave Seychelles today for India, where they will take part in the annual ‘Surajkund International Craft Mela’, which is this year taking place from February 3 to February 19 under the aegis of Surajkund Mela Authority and Haryana Tourism.
The event which celebrates and promotes crafts, folks’ traditions, and cultural heritage, brings together artisans from several countries and Seychelles is a regular participant, allowing artisans to showcase their handicraft works and traditional band to show their talents.
Their sending off ceremony took place on Monday at the National Theatre, Mont Fleuri where they were issued their plane tickets by the secretary general for the Seychelles Institute for Culture, Heritage and the Arts, David Andre, the Indian high commissioner to Seychelles, Karthik Pande, and the general manager of the Creole Travel Services, Eric Renard.
When addressing the delegation, HC Pande wished them well and said he hoped they would be able to interact with fellow artisans and musicians.
“I am happy that due to our effort the government of India has been able to also support in terms of international air travel for this delegation and I would like to thank our friends at the National Arts and Crafts Council for their support in making this possible. I am certain that this delegation of l‘Echo Group and artisans will showcase Seychellois arts and craft as well as their culture,” he said.
This was echoed by the executive director of the National Arts and Crafts Council, Jimmy Savy, who thanked the sponsors for being eager to fund this worthwhile trip and to help bring the Seychelles’ culture on the international scene.
To the artists and artisans, he said NACC was proud to have chosen them to represent the country. “When these opportunities come, you should seize them and make the most of it. And when you are there always remember that you are representing Seychelles at all times; So do it with your heart and make sure our culture, our identity is at the forefront,” said Mr Savy.
The delegation is led by Juliette Albest, from the NACC, who said the artisans include a freelancer, one from La Digue and each of the two artisanal groupings, ‘Groupement des Artisans’, and ‘Cooperatives des artisans Seychelles’, have also nominated one of their members.
She said NACC wanted the process to be open and transparent. She has asked the artisans to make the most of the trip.
“In Mela it will be an exchange of ideas and expertise since a lot of other countries are invited. Maybe the materials they will find there could be unknown to us so it would be an opportunity for them to learn new things,” said Ms Albest.
Estelle Pool, an artisan from La Digue, is one who will be making the trip to India to showcase her craftwork, which are mostly candles and their holders made from coconut shells, seashells as well as coco-de-mer shaped artefacts, representative of Seychelles. She will also be bringing along some woodwork done by a fellow artisan.
An excited Ms Pool, who is making the trip to Mela for the first time, told Seychelles NATION that despite being under a lot of pressure to prepare as many craftworks as possible for the trip, she was looking forward to the three-week stay.
“I once took part in a global village in Dubai, so I know a little what to expect. Although it is taking place in India, you will not be seeing only their citizens but artisans from other countries so it will be good to see their work and have some exchanges, so I am looking forward to this adventure,” she said.
During the sending off ceremony, traditional music band ‘l’Echo Group’ led by Berno Cedras put on a 15-minute show of some songs and dance that will be performed at the Craft Mela fair, much to the delight of those present.
Speaking to the audience, the main singer, Joenise Juliette, said l’Echo Group had already made a name for itself locally and internationally and comprises professional singers and dancers who are performing weekly in hotels across the country. She said they were looking forward to the trip. There are altogether 14 members.
Monday’s short ceremony was also attended by the permanent secretary of the Seychelles Institute for Culture, Heritage and the Arts, Cecile Kalebi, and Ambassador for Culture, Patrick Victor.
The accompanying photos show some highlights of the send-off ceremony.
Patsy Canaya
Photos by Joena Meme
