Fourth carnival a complete success, says Minister St Ange
“After receiving words of congratulations from the majority of the press that interviewed me, I have to say that the fourth Carnaval International de Victoria was a complete success.”
Tourism and Culture Minister Alain St Ange said this at the official closing ceremony of the carnival on Sunday at the Freedom Square.
Minister St Ange added: “We have been congratulated for being a small island state which has organised such a big and interesting event that has brought together different communities of nations worldwide.”
During the closing ceremony the best floats in the three categories – school, local and international – were rewarded.
In the school category, Seychelles Tourism Academy grabbed first prize followed in second and third places by the Seychelles Institute of Teacher Education and the Mont Fleuri secondary school.
Raffles Praslin Resort succeeded JJ Spirit Foundation as the best float in the local category to win R35,000. JJ Spirit Foundation finished second and Indian Ocean Tuna Ltd was third.
All the top three local and school floats won cash prizes sponsored by the Seychelles Tourism Board.
After three consecutive victories in the first three carnivals, Notting Hill’s win streak was ended by the Chinese delegation who won the Tom Bowers gold sculpted Carnaval International de Victoria trophy in the international category. Notting Hill had to accept the second prize – the Tom Bowers silver trophy – while the Tom Bowers bronze trophy (third prize) went to Brazil.
The criteria used to judge the floats were more or less the same as the preceding years.
Among the criteria for judging the floats were:
. First impressions: The overall effect and impact on the spectator is a prime consideration,
. Decoration & aesthetic value: Sense of colours used,
. Flow & spirit: Choreography & animation,
. Originality of idea: How the theme is depicted and the ability of the figures to maintain their poses,
. Use of material with artistic creativity,
. Costumes and make up: the characters depicted on the float are only brought to life and make the cart theme complete by quality, detail and accuracy of the costumes, and the authenticity of the make-up,
. Harmony: It is judged by the musical, acoustical and visual harmony of the school's parade. To score high in this category, the music, rhythm and singing should meld seamlessly with the choreography and dance of the school members.
The parade of floats on Saturday started on Bois de Rose avenue at around 3.30pm and headed into the town centre. Dressed as different characters and depicting a number of themes in the displays, those who took part performed along the way for the thousands who had lined the streets to have an up-close look at the performers.
Reaching the VIP area in front of the National Cultural Centre, the floats stopped to perform for President James Michel and the other dignitaries who had come to Seychelles for the carnival.
With more than 50 floats and over 20 international delegations, Minister St Ange said “next year we already have two more countries that have confirmed their participation and they are Lesotho and Mongolia”.
“South Africa is also putting a lot of emphasis on getting their people to be enthusiastic about our carnival. I will be in South Africa in May and they will be launching a campaign which will be on the radio and television stations there. The campaign will be encouraging bodybuilders to take part in a competition and the top four finishers will take part in the carnival next year,” Minister St Ange added.
With the curtain drawn on the fourth carnival, the organisers have said they will start working early on the fifth slated for April 24-26, 2015.
Meanwhile, Bel Eau primary school, who chose the theme ‘Stationary and Kindergarten’, was the winner of the inaugural Kiddies’ carnival to grab the top prize of R3,000 and a trophy.
Organised for the first time, the Kiddies’ carnival took place on Sunday at the Freedom Square and it replaced the family fun day which follows the day of the carnival parade.
Anse Aux Pins was second and Plaisance third. The three special prizes were won by Anse Aux Pins (spirit of carnival), Mont Fleuri (creativity) and Independent School (greatest number of participants).
Tourism and Culture Minister Alain St Ange said this at the official closing ceremony of the carnival on Sunday at the Freedom Square.
Minister St Ange added: “We have been congratulated for being a small island state which has organised such a big and interesting event that has brought together different communities of nations worldwide.”
During the closing ceremony the best floats in the three categories – school, local and international – were rewarded.
In the school category, Seychelles Tourism Academy grabbed first prize followed in second and third places by the Seychelles Institute of Teacher Education and the Mont Fleuri secondary school.
Raffles Praslin Resort succeeded JJ Spirit Foundation as the best float in the local category to win R35,000. JJ Spirit Foundation finished second and Indian Ocean Tuna Ltd was third.
All the top three local and school floats won cash prizes sponsored by the Seychelles Tourism Board.
After three consecutive victories in the first three carnivals, Notting Hill’s win streak was ended by the Chinese delegation who won the Tom Bowers gold sculpted Carnaval International de Victoria trophy in the international category. Notting Hill had to accept the second prize – the Tom Bowers silver trophy – while the Tom Bowers bronze trophy (third prize) went to Brazil.
The criteria used to judge the floats were more or less the same as the preceding years.
Among the criteria for judging the floats were:
. First impressions: The overall effect and impact on the spectator is a prime consideration,
. Decoration & aesthetic value: Sense of colours used,
. Flow & spirit: Choreography & animation,
. Originality of idea: How the theme is depicted and the ability of the figures to maintain their poses,
. Use of material with artistic creativity,
. Costumes and make up: the characters depicted on the float are only brought to life and make the cart theme complete by quality, detail and accuracy of the costumes, and the authenticity of the make-up,
. Harmony: It is judged by the musical, acoustical and visual harmony of the school's parade. To score high in this category, the music, rhythm and singing should meld seamlessly with the choreography and dance of the school members.
The parade of floats on Saturday started on Bois de Rose avenue at around 3.30pm and headed into the town centre. Dressed as different characters and depicting a number of themes in the displays, those who took part performed along the way for the thousands who had lined the streets to have an up-close look at the performers.
Reaching the VIP area in front of the National Cultural Centre, the floats stopped to perform for President James Michel and the other dignitaries who had come to Seychelles for the carnival.
With more than 50 floats and over 20 international delegations, Minister St Ange said “next year we already have two more countries that have confirmed their participation and they are Lesotho and Mongolia”.
“South Africa is also putting a lot of emphasis on getting their people to be enthusiastic about our carnival. I will be in South Africa in May and they will be launching a campaign which will be on the radio and television stations there. The campaign will be encouraging bodybuilders to take part in a competition and the top four finishers will take part in the carnival next year,” Minister St Ange added.
With the curtain drawn on the fourth carnival, the organisers have said they will start working early on the fifth slated for April 24-26, 2015.
Meanwhile, Bel Eau primary school, who chose the theme ‘Stationary and Kindergarten’, was the winner of the inaugural Kiddies’ carnival to grab the top prize of R3,000 and a trophy.
Organised for the first time, the Kiddies’ carnival took place on Sunday at the Freedom Square and it replaced the family fun day which follows the day of the carnival parade.
Anse Aux Pins was second and Plaisance third. The three special prizes were won by Anse Aux Pins (spirit of carnival), Mont Fleuri (creativity) and Independent School (greatest number of participants).
Forrás: www.nation.sc