Heritage Week 2015 - Official launch focuses on Praslin’s hidden heritage
Praslin’s hidden heritage was in the limelight at the official launch of this year’s National Heritage Week last Friday at the Raffles Hotel on the island.
The highlights of the official launch were the signing of two memoranda of understanding (MoU) for the preservation and promotion of two heritage sites on Praslin. Christopher Gill of Ile de Palme residence signed for the Takamaka Plantation Estate which in the past had ‘patchouli’ and cinnamon distilleries while Joel Confait signed for the ‘Four Laso’ heritage site at La Pointe. The family has tourism-related businesses in the area.
Maxwell Julie of the Seychelles Heritage Foundation (SHF) signed both MoUs on behalf of the SHF while Grand Anse Praslin District Administrator Moses Barbe signed on behalf of the district.
Locals and tourists are invited to those sites for either research or for just a journey of discovery.
The National Heritage Week is an annual week-long event celebrating the rich and diverse cultural heritage of Seychelles.
It is also an opportunity for the country to renew its efforts for its protection and draw attention to its vulnerability.
This year’s theme for the week – ‘Cherishing Our Hidden Heritage’ – is aimed at bringing to the fore forgotten places that tell us about Seychelles’ rich and astonishing history.
As for Raffles hotel, it has been sponsoring the Raffles Heritage Award there for the past three years. This year it launched a Family Tree competition among secondary school children on Praslin and La Digue where they had to trace back their ancestors. All the winning prizes went to the Grand Anse Praslin secondary school, with Vanessa Esther clinching the first prize.
The hotel has also discovered, adopted and preserved a trail that links two parts of the island.
The Raffles Praslin also unveiled the Praslin Heritage Plaque which indicates all the heritage and cultural sites of the island. The unveiling was done by the hotel’s general manager, Christopher Ganster.
The ceremony was attended by the principal secretary for culture Benjamine Rosem, who officially launched the event.
Besides DA Barbe and Mr Julie of the SHF, also present were member of the National Assembly for Grand Anse Praslin Marc Volcère and officials and staff of the Seychelles Research and Protection Section, SHF and schoolchildren from Praslin and La Digue.
“Concealed within the landscape of Praslin are some remarkable buildings, natural sites reminiscent of our past that form part of our heritage, sometimes forgotten by most, undiscovered by the majority especially the youths,” said PS Rose in her opening speech.
Ms Rose urged all to renew their commitment to the conservation, preservation and promotion of our rich cultural heritage which should remain a source of genuine pride.
She called on schoolchildren to ensure our heritage continues to strive as they are the future generation.
PS Rose also commended Raffles Praslin for its continued support and added her ministry will continue working with partners to ensure our heritage is continued to be preserved.
As for Mr Julie, he also had words of support and appreciation for Raffles. He said that SHF will launch a song competition next year to encourage youths’ creativity and innovation in this area and to have a compilation of songs on our heritage.
The Raffles Praslin GM considers it a pleasure and honour to partner with SHF to bring to the fore the heritage of this beautiful country.
The activities, which will run up to April 22, will include site clearings in all districts; quiz on SBC AM and FM; Bazaar Bel Air at the district; newspaper article in the Seychelles NATION newspaper; Praslin Heritage Route video on SBC TV and Heritage Award Mahé prize giving ceremony at Alliance Francaise des Seychelles.
The highlights of the official launch were the signing of two memoranda of understanding (MoU) for the preservation and promotion of two heritage sites on Praslin. Christopher Gill of Ile de Palme residence signed for the Takamaka Plantation Estate which in the past had ‘patchouli’ and cinnamon distilleries while Joel Confait signed for the ‘Four Laso’ heritage site at La Pointe. The family has tourism-related businesses in the area.
Maxwell Julie of the Seychelles Heritage Foundation (SHF) signed both MoUs on behalf of the SHF while Grand Anse Praslin District Administrator Moses Barbe signed on behalf of the district.
Locals and tourists are invited to those sites for either research or for just a journey of discovery.
The National Heritage Week is an annual week-long event celebrating the rich and diverse cultural heritage of Seychelles.
It is also an opportunity for the country to renew its efforts for its protection and draw attention to its vulnerability.
This year’s theme for the week – ‘Cherishing Our Hidden Heritage’ – is aimed at bringing to the fore forgotten places that tell us about Seychelles’ rich and astonishing history.
As for Raffles hotel, it has been sponsoring the Raffles Heritage Award there for the past three years. This year it launched a Family Tree competition among secondary school children on Praslin and La Digue where they had to trace back their ancestors. All the winning prizes went to the Grand Anse Praslin secondary school, with Vanessa Esther clinching the first prize.
The hotel has also discovered, adopted and preserved a trail that links two parts of the island.
The Raffles Praslin also unveiled the Praslin Heritage Plaque which indicates all the heritage and cultural sites of the island. The unveiling was done by the hotel’s general manager, Christopher Ganster.
The ceremony was attended by the principal secretary for culture Benjamine Rosem, who officially launched the event.
Besides DA Barbe and Mr Julie of the SHF, also present were member of the National Assembly for Grand Anse Praslin Marc Volcère and officials and staff of the Seychelles Research and Protection Section, SHF and schoolchildren from Praslin and La Digue.
“Concealed within the landscape of Praslin are some remarkable buildings, natural sites reminiscent of our past that form part of our heritage, sometimes forgotten by most, undiscovered by the majority especially the youths,” said PS Rose in her opening speech.
Ms Rose urged all to renew their commitment to the conservation, preservation and promotion of our rich cultural heritage which should remain a source of genuine pride.
She called on schoolchildren to ensure our heritage continues to strive as they are the future generation.
PS Rose also commended Raffles Praslin for its continued support and added her ministry will continue working with partners to ensure our heritage is continued to be preserved.
As for Mr Julie, he also had words of support and appreciation for Raffles. He said that SHF will launch a song competition next year to encourage youths’ creativity and innovation in this area and to have a compilation of songs on our heritage.
The Raffles Praslin GM considers it a pleasure and honour to partner with SHF to bring to the fore the heritage of this beautiful country.
The activities, which will run up to April 22, will include site clearings in all districts; quiz on SBC AM and FM; Bazaar Bel Air at the district; newspaper article in the Seychelles NATION newspaper; Praslin Heritage Route video on SBC TV and Heritage Award Mahé prize giving ceremony at Alliance Francaise des Seychelles.
Forrás: www.nation.sc