• Seychelles launches National Arts and Cultural Fund to support the protection and promotion of the Seychellois culture and heritage.

• The launch was held at the State House in Seychelles as it coincided with the 110th anniversary of the State House.

At the State House on Saturday, the National Arts and Cultural Fund was launched to permit interested persons both in Seychelles and abroad to support protecting and promoting the Seychellois culture and heritage. Also present at the launch were potential partners and philanthropists to make contributions to the fund.

The fund raised will help to create a national collection of Seychellois artworks and purchase properties and artifacts of national cultural and heritage significance. However, the total amount of the funds raised has yet to be revealed. The fund will operate under the direction of the Ministry of Finance as government institutions are not permitted to have accounts in private banks.

While speaking to reporters, Seychelles National Institute for Culture, Heritage and the Arts (SNICHA) Secretary General, David Andre said “Culture belongs to everyone, therefore those who are able to do so should contribute to the fund, as this is our heritage, and we should all lend a hand to promote it”. 

Seychelles National Institute for Culture, Heritage, and Arts as a governing body.

In 2021, the Seychelles National Institute for Culture, Heritage and the Arts was created to replace the non-functioning Department of Culture as the new institution of policy-making on the country’s culture, heritage, and arts. It is a self-governing and independent body in Seychelles under the auspicious of the Head of State. It is also the highest policy-making entity saddled with the responsibility for the preservation, protection, promotion, and appreciation of Seychellois cultural heritage.

Reason for the launch at the State House.

While giving his remark, President Wavel Ramkalawan disclosed the reason for holding the launch at the State House, as the launching of the fund coincided with the 110th anniversary of the State House, described as a historical monument built in 1910, formerly known as the Governor’s House during the British colonial period. The president said, “The building belongs to all Seychellois and is where culture should be encouraged”. 

The State House is a known cultural heritage site of Seychelles which boasts a garden full of colorful flowers and shrubs, including the endemic coco de mer palms, and a pen with Aldabra giant tortoises. It also has a cemetery with tombs and graves of some important historical figures in the history of Seychelles. 

Various artists were in attendance at the State House grounds painting, crocheting, and making vacoa bags to attract prospective contributors’ attention to the fund. There were also paintings on display aside from artifacts being created on-site, for those who were willing to own artworks. 

Mr. Andre explained that it would be a consultative effort of a Seychelles National Institute for Culture, Heritage and Arts committee that will deliberate on the priority of the various projects presented to the fund. “This is when we will decide if want to send money for example to the marine museum”, he said.