Creole Festival of Seychelles

For more than two centuries, Seychelles has been a melting pot of races, religions and traditions, fusing diverse ethnic strains into a trilingual Creole nation. One of the most important cultural extravaganzas in this tropical island paradise is the annual Creole Festival. The oldest ‘pan creole’ event in the world, this unique fiesta is usually held during the last week of October in the Seychellois capital of Victoria; in 2006, it commences on Oct 2006.

The Creole Festival is essentially a celebration of the Seychellois identity through indigenous music, dance, crafts, folklore, arts and cuisine. Artists from all over the region congregate in Victoria to display their objets ‘d art; if you are an aficionado of all things creole, the festival venue is the ideal place to shop for local handicrafts, while imbibing the spirit of street theatre, literature, photography, puppetry and dance.

Although the festival-related events unfold throughout the Seychelles archipelago, they are mostly concentrated on the islands of Praslin & Mahe, and visitors are invited to taste the creole way of life or their ‘Kreolite’, as manifested through the local art and culture.

The celebrations cover a broad spectrum of activities: conferences, poetry readings, musical and other artistic events, fashion shows, traditional games, special events for children, a street procession and special dinners offering the ethnic local culinary masterpieces.

Another event that figures prominently in the Seychellois cultural calendar is the Subois which focuses on the Seychelles’ underwater world. It extends over a period of 3 weeks in November and attracts well-known marine experts, film-makers, photographers and conservationists.