The normally sleepy streets of Victoria throbbed with scintillating music and were ablaze in colour on Saturday afternoon as over 50 floats paraded in the second Carnaval International de Victoria.

Many local firms such as Creole Travel Services, Pillay R Group and Hunt Deltel as well as groups from other countries like Germany, Brazil, United Kingdom, Reunion and Trinidad and Tobago impressed the crowd with their colourful and dazzling floats.

There were also the Waki Band entertaining the people with their tunes and the bike lovers showing off their skills.

This year’s procession started on Bois de Rose Avenue at 2.30pm and moved towards the National Cultural Centre as the participants shimmied and shook their colourful costumes for the excited crowd along the roads, all to the beats of lively music blaring from sound systems atop extravagant floats.

The teams then took turns to pause and perform for President James Michel and other dignitaries who had come this time in great numbers for the carnival.

The floats then moved to other parts of Victoria to showcase their array of dazzling displays, passing by the clock tower, in front of the Camion Hall, past the Orion Mall and turning in front of the Caravelle House. The procession continued its way to the Bicentenary Monument, passing in front of the children’s playground and to the Islands Development Company car park where the parade came to an end in the evening.

This was followed by entertainment in town for those who chose to stay in Victoria and party. 
There was also a food fiesta as well as cultural manifestation by local and international bands.

A musical show was also held at the Freedom square and the after carnival party ended with a grand open air disco until early morning.

The closing ceremony for the three-day celebrations took place yesterday evening with the prize giving for best floats and the carnival lottery draw.

It is to be noted that this year’s carnival, held for the first time last year, was jointly organised by Seychelles and sister island La Reunion.

We present below a selection of Saturday’s carnival parade photos taken by our photographers Patrick Joubert and Joena Bonnelame. 

Forrás: www.nation.sc