Category: Entertainment

The World Artistic Dance Federation (WADF) is willing to work with dance coaches and choreographers in Seychelles to help local dancers improve their techniques and skills, a senior officer of the federation shared.

In a recent interview with SNA, the senior vice president of WADF, Irina Smalko, outlined that "when it comes to traditional dance, Seychelles is at the top of course, but for the rest, it's okay."

"We will make some suggestions to the organisers. Training will be necessary and important for development for both sides. It is my aim to make this happen, to work with the trainers and choreographers and provide them with everything we know. It will also be good to invite coaches of dancing schools in Seychelles to Russia for some period to undertake special courses. That would be the most correct way to handle that," said Smalko.

"I hope that next year when there will be more participants from Seychelles, it will be easier to compare and understand the true level," she continued.

Smalko, who is from Moscow, has been a Caribbean dance competitor within the International Dance Organisation IDO) for many years, and has a great knowledge of artistic dancing.

WADF's senior vice president was in Seychelles for the All-African Artistic Dance Championships that was held on September 1 and September 2 at the Berjaya Hotel, Beau Vallon.

The first to be held in Africa, the All-African Artistic Dance Championships saw the participation of over 200 dancers from six countries - Seychelles, South Africa, Serbia, North Macedonia, Russia, and Greece. The Philippines, which was also expected to participate in the competition, canceled at the last minute.

During the two days of competition, participants battled for first place in different dance categories such as Afrobeat combats, hip hop, urban, traditional, classical, ballroom, and Latin dance.

The championship was classified into different categories, namely mini-kids from 4 years and above, juveniles from 9 to 12 years, juniors, youths and adults, and masters from 35 years and above.

Smalko shared that "hosting the competition in Seychelles is a very good step and opportunity for the federation. We are very well known in Europe and now we can get better known in Africa."

WADF, which celebrated its 10th anniversary this year, is a non-profit worldwide dance organisation with over 100 years of experience in dance – which also gives non-professional dancers a platform.

Source: Seychelles News Agency

The new Seychelles National Gallery, located inside the National Library building, will hold its first exhibition in November, said a top official on Wednesday.

The executive director of the Creative Seychelles Agency (CSA), Emmanuel D'Offay, told reporters that the Gallery will function as the most important space for exhibition in Seychelles.

It will cover an area of around 300 square metres, with high ceilings and a structural format that eases modular and flexible display areas.

D'Offay said that aside from being modern, the Gallery will have an open plan reception and sales area, with internet stations providing direct access to work made by leading Seychellois artists.

The first event in November will be a cartography map exhibition done in collaboration with the Blue Economy department. The exhibition will launch the opening of the Gallery, which closed in 2018 when the National Library closed down due to a fungus infestation.

With its imminent re-launch, D'Offay revealed that the National Gallery will be up to international standards as "these days there are components the authorities had to take into account to attract the participation of international artists."

These include taking into account the lighting and humidity, among others.

"In the last Biennale held in Seychelles, we had to make the best of the situation as we were exhibiting a Swiss artist who was showing ice sculptures," said D'Offay, who added that the authorities have learned much from the recent experiences.

The CSA is also hoping to attract international artists to hold exhibitions in Seychelles

D'Offay said this is why the Gallery "will function under certain terms of reference, which will include 70 percent of the work on show will that of local Seychellois artists and the remaining 25 percent will be that of international artists."

The agency is currently discussing partnerships with India and Dubai as well as looking at existing bilateral agreements to ensure this happens.

"Through existing bilateral agreements we will be able to see what we can bring in as it is important to us that there is an exchange allowing Seychellois artists to see works of others from other countries. This will maybe inspire them to and they may also measure their works to their other colleagues from overseas," said D'Offay.

As a result, the National Gallery will no longer show the works of students and others who are yet to reach the required level. This group of artists will showcase their works at the Domaine De Val De Pres Gallery and other private galleries found around the country.

"Once an artist's work is shown in the gallery it will be like the person has earned themselves a spot in the Tate Gallery or others in the world that only show the best of the best," he added.

As part of its new drive, artists meeting the required criteria will have to apply for a spot so that they may then receive available dates as the agency will now plan the National Gallery's calendar for a whole year.

The application process will also include them sending in samples of their works, and the curator will then decide whether they are worth going to the gallery.

The next artist's work due to be displayed is that of a seasoned Seychellois artist specialising in contemporary art, Leon Radegonde, in January.

CSA also revealed that some activities and exhibitions will be paying events, but it is still working on the prices.

Source: Seychelles News Agency

The Swakopmund Heritage and Culture Committee will host this year’s main Namibian Heritage Week celebrations from 18 to 24 September, with several activities lined up for the week.

Initiated by the National Museum of Namibia, the National Heritage Week was extended from a day’s celebration to a week. It was also extended to other regions to ensure countrywide celebrations.

The week is aimed at encouraging Namibians to celebrate and commit to protecting the country’s natural and cultural resources and pass on inherent traditions and knowledge to descendants.

Nadine Phiri, curator at the Swakopmund Museum and member of the Swakopmund Culture Committee, during a media launch in Swakopmund on Thursday said there will be activities across the country during Heritage Week and at least one activity every day in Windhoek and Swakopmund.

“The event is also aimed at promoting the safeguarding and protection of all cultural heritage in Namibia irrespective of religious or ethnic identity, recognising that all forms of cultural heritage in Namibia are valued as equal in importance,” she said.

Phiri called on every Namibian to participate in the week-long activities by attending events, dressing up to reflect their cultures and traditions, or to create special, uniquely Namibian dishes during the week.

The theme for this year is 'Heritage and Culture: A Rock-Solid Foundation' in Namibian sign language.

The team decided that every year, the theme for heritage week will use a Namibian language as part of its commitment to promoting pride in Namibian cultural diversity.

The event is taking place in collaboration with the Museums Association of Namibia, Franco-Namibian Cultural Centre and the National Arts Gallery of Namibia, among others.

The week-long festivities will also include different cultural performances, educational lectures and competitions, among others.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

Franco-Seychellois singer Vanessa Anacoura has released two songs on various musical platforms and is looking to make a name for herself in the music industry.

Anacoura, who is singing on a part-time basis, has released two singles "Je ne veut plus de toi" (I don't want you anymore) and "Si seulement" (If only) and the two songs available on Spotify, Deezer, Apple Music and Amazon.

Born in Paris to Seychellois parents from the Anse Etoile and Anse Aux Pins districts, Anacoura has lived her whole life in France. She told SNA that she started to sing at 9 years old.

"My mum heard me sing and saw that I had talent so she signed me up for my first singing lesson when I was 13. I did my first stage appearance at 14. Before that, I did classic and hip-hop dance and have performed on stage since I was a kid," she said.

One of the singles of Anacoura - Je ne veut plus de toi. (YouTube) Photo License: CC0

Anacoura said that it is not easy to make it in music in France but has received good feedback so far.

"I do RnB and pop music, where I mostly like to sing about love and I have three favorite singers - Michael Jackson, Alicia Keys and Ben l'Oncle Soul. My music doesn't sound like theirs as I don't want it to, but I'm definitely inspired by them," she added.

Anacoura said that she would love to live full-time from her music and her goal is to go to Olympia where the greatest artists have performed as this will be an honour and an accomplishment to sing on such a stage.

Although she lives in Paris, Anacoura keeps up to date with her Seychellois Creole culture.

"I actually speak Creole with a very nice French accent, and with my friends, even if they don't speak or understand Creole, it happens sometimes that I say some words or sentences. During the family reunion, you can be sure that we will put on some Sega and dance," she told SNA.

Anacoura said that it is not easy to make it in music in France but has received good feedback so far. (Vanessa Anacoura) Photo License: All Rights Reserved

Anacoura said that although she is in France "I grew up with Sega songs like the ones of Jean-Marc Volcy, and I don't know how many times I have heard the song 'La sezon Kreol' from Joe Samy."

"I have come to Seychelles over 10 times already. It's been a while since my last visit, and each time I do, I always feel very good. I enjoy time with my family, the beaches and everything that Seychelles has to offer. I also listen mainly to Sega, which I enjoy dancing to. I also like the more recent music as well, like Elijah or Sandra for example," said Anacoura.

She also enjoys Creole dishes like lentils with sausages, fried fish, and banana cake.

"Furthermore, I went to UNESCO in Paris last year, to celebrate the inclusion of Moutya in the UNESCO World Heritage list. It was a really good moment. I'm very proud to be Seychellois," said Anacoura.

Source: Seychelles News Agency

The Aodaman Traditional Authority on Saturday celebrated the Aodaman Annual Cultural Festival under the theme, ‘Reigniting our heritage’ at Khorixas in the Kunene Region.

In a statement availed to Nampa on Sunday, the Minister of Urban and Rural Development (MURD) Erastus Uutoni at the event stated that the assertion of cultural identity can only be envisioned on the basis of mutual respect and the acceptance of diversity.

“I believe that this cultural festival in its entirety, presents motivation to remember the important things and to showcase and pass the knowledge and traditions to the next generation,” the minister said.

Uutoni said that as a nation, “we first have to understand each other and appreciate each other’s way of life and socio-cultural identity” and that is only possible when the nation is knowledgeable about its distinct cultures, traditions and value systems.

Furthermore, this particular festival promotes intercultural understanding and showcases the community’s rich and cultural expressions and serves as a major tourist attraction both at local and international levels, he said.

Uutoni added that the traditional authority is also required to promote affirmative action amongst its members, particularly by promoting gender equality with regard to leadership positions in its structure.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

The Consulate-General of Nigeria in New York and the Royal Festival Inc. have celebrated the “Ayan Atayero Festival” (Festival of Drums) to promote the understanding and appreciation of Nigeria’s rich culture and heritage in the US.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the maiden edition of the festival was held at the Nigeria House in New York in collaboration with the House of Oduduwa and the Atayero of Aramoko Kingdom, Ekiti.

The Consul-General, Amb. Lot Egopija, in his remarks said the gathering was aimed at celebrating the timeless tradition of drumming and vibrant Nigerian cultural heritage.

According to him, the Atayero festival holds immense significance and it showcases the power of drums as a universal language.

The envoy said that drums had the ability to transcend barriers and to bring people together regardless of their background and origin.

“The drums talk as you listen to it and they are various interpretation of the rhythm.

“Above all, the kings communicate with their subjects through the instruments of the drums. I will enjoin you to relax as the drums speak to us this night.’’

In his remarks, Olusegun Aderemi, the Atayero of Aramoko Kingdom, Ekiti, defined culture as the generality of the way people live and the way people behave.

“Heritage doesn’t die, heritage lives in the present and the future. We can’t take away our cultural heritage and we cannot add to it.

“The best we can do to our cultural heritage is to manage it.

“Our great culture is rich; our most expensive culture from Nigeria comes from the North, East to the West and down to the South is very rich,’’ he said.

The traditional ruler said the maiden edition of the “Festival of Drums“ would present different ways in which drums communicate and the interpretation of the rhythm.

“Our culture is very rich and our drums are very rich, our singing and dancing are very rich. They are very spiritual to us and very important to us.

“Drum speaks the language we understand; it could be used as a tool for calling and for healing,’’ he said.

Similarly, Olori Folashade Ogunwusi, the wife of the Ooni of Ife, who sent royal greetings from her husband also spoke about the rich heritage of the Yoruba culture, especially the drum festival.

“The Yoruba culture holds great importance as it represents the rich heritage of Yoruba people, an ethnic group, predominantly located in Southwestern Nigeria.

“The culture encompasses various aspects such as language, the art, outfit, the music and the beautiful drums.

“It is the culture that has been passed down through generation, your tradition is considered a heritage because it carries the collective history, values and identity of your community.

“It also provides a sense of belonging and the continuity connecting people together to their ancestors as well,” she said.

According to her, culture has influenced and contributed significantly to the broader African diaspora and the global cultural diversity, making it an essential part of board heritage toda

Also speaking, Edward Mermelstein, New York City’s Commissioner for International Affairs, thanked the Consulate for orgainising the festival, noting that New York City is the host of the largest diplomatic community in the world.

“This festival serves as a testament to the importance of preserving and honoring cultural heritage. It provides a platform for sharing and celebrating the tradition that has been passed down through generations.

“Moreover, the festival is a testament to the strength of our city’s cultural diversity.

“New York City is a melting point of cultures and events like this allow us to appreciate the richness and contribution of each community,’’ he said.

According to him, it is through embracing our differences that we forge stronger bonds and build a more inclusive and harmonious society.

“As we celebrate the festival in the night of drums, let us acknowledge the perseverance of our communities,’’ he said.

NAN reports that the festival, with the theme: Celebrating Our Cultural Heritage,’’ also showcased presentation of drum rhythms, their interpretation and their accompanying dancing steps by Olu-Gan Gan Troupe.

The festival was attended by the Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the UN, Prof. Tijani Muhammad-Bande, Dr Akil khalfani, Pan African Diaspora Ambassador to the Ooni of Ile-Ife, Olori Abosede Yeyegunwa, Elesi of Ejesi Ife Kingdom as well as Princess Fadakemi Fadojutimi, Managing Director of Ife Grand Resorts and Industrial Hub, among others. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: News Agency of Nigeria