Victoria dresses  up for the occasion

Preparations for this year’s sixth Carnaval International de Victoria taking place this weekend are in the final stages as our small capital dresses up in colourful attire once again to welcome the thousands of locals and visitors who will converge on Victoria for the exciting event.

Since last week decorations are being put up around Victoria, focusing more particularly on the different monuments to bring forth elements of our culture and to showcase them to the world.

Terry Carolla, director of Telsy Production, the company which won the bid to put together this year’s carnival, has promised several surprises as well as a colourful and vibrant show during the opening ceremony which will start at 6.30pm at Stad Popiler on Friday evening.

“The preparations are well underway and we expect to iron everything out in the final rehearsal on Thursday evening,” Mr Carolla said yesterday.

He added that the public and visitors alike will no doubt be enthralled by the local and international cultures which will mingle in the cultural performances for the opening ceremony.

Noting that it has started to rain days leading up to the big day, Mr Carolla said they have long booked the ICCS (International Conference Centre of Seychelles) just in case the weather forces them to fall back on a plan B.

“We are prepared and we will not disappoint the public,” he said.

While Victoria is busy putting the final touches to its carnival garb, the international delegations have started to land.

On Monday Sherin Naiken, chief executive of the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) welcomed   Sweden's representative Sofia Jannok – the twice Grammy-nominated Sámi artist, singer, songwriter and campaigner for indigenous rights and environmental justice.

The Italian delegation who will showcase Alice in Wonderland in the carnival parade with numerous locals joining them in the colorful costumes are already in the country together with several other delegations.

The delegation from South Africa and a first group from Mauritius arrived Tuesday afternoon and Tuesday evening respectively.

Delegations from Dusseldorf, Notting Hill, Korea and Madagascar are arriving today while the majority of the delegations including Brazil will be in tomorrow, Thursday.

Ms Naiken said up to now the preparations are going on smoothly with no major hiccups.

“We have learned a lot from the previous carnivals and up to now I can say things are going smoothly,” Ms Naiken said.

Some 23 international delegations have confirmed their presence at this year’s carnival.

A large contingent of international press, all eager to discover the diversity of cultures that will be on display during the carnival parade on Saturday April 23 are already in the country.

Following the official opening ceremony of the carnival on Friday evening, musical entertainment will continue at the Waterfront park opposite Oceangate House and this will be followed by an open air disco on the Stad Popiler car park from11pm to1am.

For the carnival floats’ parade the next day, Saturday, guests must be seated at the Liberty monument by 2.30pm and everyone coming down to watch the event should be at their ideally chosen spots by then.

The floats’ parade will start on Bois de Rose Avenue and will proceed to 5th June Avenue, passing in front of the Liberty monument where the VIPs will be seated. People can take position around Liberty monument, Peace Park, Orion Mall and along Palm Street where the carnival parade will continue its procession down Albert Street and Huteau Lane before ending up along Manglier Street.

Everyone in the carnival parade will then proceed to Freedom Square for an hour of carnival fun and party.

At 7pm musical entertainment by various bands and artists will begin at the Stad Popiler car park, Freedom Square and the Water Front park. A carnival after-party disco will also take place at the Tequila Boom, Beau Bel.

On Sunday April 24 starting at 10am at different spots in Victoria – Stad Popiler car park, Waterfront park and Freedom Square – local and international groups will perform on stage and the public will be able to buy food, drinks and snacks in a food fiesta around Victoria.

This year the Kiddies Carnival parade will start at 1pm and the prize-giving will follow amidst a family fun day which will take place at theParadis Des Enfants. Elijah and the Warrior Band will ensure the crowd is well entertained.

The official closing ceremony of the sixth Carnaval International de Victoria during which prizes will be awarded to the best floats, will take place at 5.45pm at Freedom Square.

The organisers have promised another exciting carnival full of surprises and packed with entertainment for all ages.

Forrás: www.nation.sc