A culturally packed series of activities is being put together to mark our ties with mainland Africa through FetAfrik which kicks off next week. 

From May 22-25, visitors to our shores, the African community here and Seychellois in general will once again have a chance to savour the African culture through its music, dance, food, souvenir and dress.

Unveiling the FetAfrik 2014 programme to members of the press yesterday morning, Tourism and Culture Minister Alain St Ange said once again it is the time of year when we the Seychellois people celebrate our cultural ties with the African continent.

“The time has come for us to celebrate our links with mainland Africa. For this FetAfrik we’ve sought the participation of different groups from Africa to ensure the diversity of the African culture is showcased in Seychelles during these few days when we celebrate Africa. We are trying to bring more of the African culture to Seychelles as this will help us to better appreciate our own culture and who we are as we see bits of our own culture in each one of them,” Minister St Ange said.

During the meeting yesterday morning, the chairperson of the FetAfrik  organising committee, culture principal secretary Benjamine Rose as well as other members of the committee gave details of the different aspects of the preparation underway for the event.

The official opening of FetAfrik will be held in the car park of the National Cultural Centre at 5pm on Friday May 23 but a culture talk entitled ‘The Malagasy Grandmother’ will start the events on the previous afternoon at 4.30pm at the National Cultural Centre.

“The aim is to retrace our links with neighbouring Madagascar,” said Ms Rose.
The African Bazaar is a very popular event and ideal platform for the African community living in Seychelles to revisit their cultural artifacts and showcase them to the public. There will also be the sale of African hair products, clothes and souvenirs. It will kick off at the Stad Popiler car park just after the opening on Friday evening and this will be followed by a grand musical show featuring international performers and local artists.

This year the FetAfrik organising committee is also bringing from Kenya, DJ Kalonje, who is a reference in the DJ industry in Africa, to showcase his art of mastering beat juggling and scratching. 
Clinching the CHAT Award for best Deejay of the year for two years running (2010-2011), George Waweru alias DJ Kalonje, one of the most sought after DJs in Africa, is sure to bring some serious beats to the FetAfrik.

The bazaar will continue on Saturday until noon.
Organising committee member Marietta Matombé said all is being done to ensure there are enough stalls to sell various food items and drinks for the public.

From the African Great Lakes region of East Africa, the organising committee has also surfed the west coast of Africa, in particular Niger, for a hidden pearl in the fashion industry.  

His name is Sidahmed Seidnaly, aka Alphadi, and his creations are very popular around the world but Seychelles is yet to discover and appreciate the Alphadi collection.  

Local models will parade in his collection of over two dozen attires for all occasions during the African gala evening to be held on Saturday May 24 at the Berjaya Beau Vallon Bay.

The gala evening, a great success last year, is expected to be greater this year with the stars of the evening  beside Alphadi being an international chef from Zambia, Musama Kaloto Chamunda who runs two restaurants in Zambia under the brand of Twapandula Restaurant Ltd. 

An international band will be also entertaining that evening. Prizes for the best dressed male and female will also be awarded.

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