Carnaval @ Seychelles

Carnaval International de Victoria

Seychelles is well known among the jetset for its many luxury resorts, unique landscapes, and some of the most stunningly beautiful beaches in the world. Seychelles is said to be the original Garden Of Eden, a claim hard to dispute when taking in the scenery composed of towering green mountains, wild rock formations, and luxuriant vegetation back by a sea glistening like a jewel box of aquamarines and emeralds under a blue sky. As if its natural attractions were not enough, Seychelles also hosts one of the most exuberant carnivals in the world, the Carnaval International de Victoria, held in the country's tiny capital named after the English queen.

Now in its second year, the Carnaval International de Victoria has made considerable strides since its auspicious debut in 2011. The Carnaval International de Victoria is not a money spinning gimmick put together for purely hedonistic reasons; in Seychelles, the Carnaval represents an opportunity to call the world's attention to the country not only as a tourism destination, but as a voice among small nations across the globe in introducing and reinforcing initiatives to improve the quality of life for the people of the world as well as the Seychellois themselves. This internationality is the Carnaval's strongpoint; while other countries like Trinidad and Tobago and Brazil are justly famous for their spectacular celebrations, Seychelles has gone a step further to trump size with diversity, making the country the venue for an international carnival welcoming representatives of the world's best carnivals to take part in Seychelles' biggest annual event, dubbed the Carnival Of Carnivals for its international perspective. Now, there is no need to travel to Trinidad to enjoy the high-spirited energy of singer Lima Calbio, to London to see the colourful costumes of Notting Hill, or to Brazil to share the sheer joy of Rio de Janeiro's samba dancers; during the Carnaval International de Victoria, they all come to Seychelles.

Emphasising its international cooperation, Seychelles invites each year a partner country to host the grand affair. This year, it is the fellow Indian Ocean vanilla island La Réunion enjoying the honour. La Réunion, not a country, actually, but an overseas département of France, shares with Seychelles a way of life as an island with exotic scenery and friendly people, not to mention the bountiful flavours of Créole cuisine.