Seychelles is marking its presence at the La Reunion island’s Festival Liberté Métisse (mixed freedom) with a twenty member delegation. Upon confirming its attendance at this year’s fourth edition of the Festival, the Ministry of Tourism and Culture officially announced the list of artistes selected to fly high Seychelles colours in this festival. Joe Samy, Michelle Marengo, Tony Mathiot alias “ Raspyek”, Jude Ally , Urny Mathiot and the Ministry’s National Cultural Troupe are listed as the selecting group of artists. Alain St.Ange, the Minister for Tourism and Culture will be personally heading the delegation to La Reunion.
‘’Joe you’ve become the icon of Vanilla Islands with your song Eau des iles. A song, that not only was a hit in Seychelles, but stands to become the theme song of Vanilla Islands. Jude, you deserve this trip because you made us proud during the “Jeux de la Francophonie. Urny, your works are remarkable and you’ve strived throughout the year to represent your country at the “Jeux de la Francophonie and Tony I immensely appreciate your work’’ Alain St.Ange Minister for Tourism and Culture said.
Joe Samy’s most appreciated song ‘’ Eau des iles’’ will make its break -through at the festival. The song released in Mauritius and sung for the first time in Seychelles during this year’s Festival Kreol will be featured as Seychelles delegation theme song at the Festival “Liberté Métisse”. Joe Samy will also appeared on stage in a duet with Michelle Marengo singing one of his best local hits “Cafe au lait girls”. Michelle Marengo who performed in La Reunion this year for UNWTO Sustainable Development Conference with the back-up of National Cultural Troupe musicians and dancers is making her come – back with a compilation of songs featured in her private collection. “ Nostalzi’’ and “ Zanviron de milye’’ are some of the songs she will perform for the “Liberté Métisse” Festival.
Seychelles created history at this year’s “ Jeux de la Francophonie’’ in Nice. Jude Ally, Gold medallist at the event will do Seychelles honour in La Reunion Festival “Liberté Métisse”. Jude Ally will exhibit his own collection of paintings alongside Urny Mathiot, one of the most talented and promising photographers on the island. “ Lavi an Kouler’’ a collection of snapshots by Urny Mathiot will be showcased in the festival. The Ministry of Tourism and Culture will also have their National Cultural Troupe directed by Marietta Matombe also in La Reunion for this festival. The National Cultural Troupe have been working tirelessly to revive the Seychelles traditional music and they have announced the staging of a new repertoire for Festival “ Liberté Métisse”.
Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister for Tourism and Culture said that the Seychelles presence in La Reunion is to “Congratulate the island for staging this festival”. Festival “Liberté Métisse” held on 19th – 22nd of December in La Reunion is featured on the Vanilla Islands calendar of event.
“Seychelles has its own story to tell about the slavery era. It is part of our history. La Reunion also has its own story to tell about this era. Today not many countries would openly talk about this darkest period of its history. La Reunion has made this bold step forward. Today La Reunion needs to be congratulated for staging this festival’’ Minister St.Ange said.
Minister St.Ange will be addressing the opening ceremony of the Festival. Minister St.Ange said that he would re-iterated his support for the event. The Seychelles delegation to La Reunion also comprises of Miera Savy, Director of International Cooperation at the Ministry of Tourism and Culture. Seychelles and La Reunion signed new bilateral cooperation agreements during this year’s Festival Kreol. The Director of International Cooperation in La Reunion is to do a follow up on these agreements. Nathalie Didon, newly appointed Deputy Chief Executive of Seychelles Tourism Board will be part of this delegation to follow up tourism issues within Vanilla Islands. Seychelles delegation leaves the country 16th of December.
