Mauritius tourism celebrates the “Festival International Kreol 2018” opening. The festival was opened by Minister Anil Gayan, the Minister of Tourism of Mauritius.
“This festival is one with an important call for Unity. I remind everyone that the theme of the festival this year is Creolite and Unity” said Minister Gayan at the opening ceremony. The programme of the 13th edition of the Festival International Kreol (International Creole festival) has been unveiled on Thursday 20th September, in the presence of the minister of Tourism Anil Gayan, the ministers Alain Wong, Stephan Toussaint, Etienne Sinatambou, Eddy Boissézon, the PPS Marie-Claire Monty, and the Lord Mayer of Port Louis Daniel Laurent. For the first time, the programme has been worked out by the ministries of the abovementioned ministers and benefitted from the collaboration of various associations working for the promotion of creole culture. The festival will be held from the 16th to the 25th November with the theme: “Kreolite nou leritaz” (The creole culture, our heritage). “We wanted that his festival gather the Mauritian people as a whole, whether they come from Rodrigues, Chagos or Agalega.”
The event was launched at Château Labourdonnais on the 16th November, with Slam, old time stories, poetry, and jazz, and of course, all in creole. The first new feature of this year’s edition was the “Bal rann zarico” (traditional popular ball) in all the municipalities and village councils of the island on the 17th November. The Mahebourg Waterfront will be hosting the traditional regatta with the participation on some thirty boats, as well as a culinary festival and other craft stands on the same day. The final of the theatre contest in creole and a theatre show will take place at Serge Constantin Theatre in Vacoas on the 19th November. On the next day, there will be a slam competition at the Octave Wiehé Auditorium. The Sega Lontan night will take place at the Kaya Stadium on Roche Bois on the 21st November. There will be two events on the 22nd November: a Fashion show at Port Louis market, and a Open-air cinema at Trou d’Eau Douce. There will be a call for applications for the making of a short 13-minute film in creole. The three short films selected will be broadcast during that evening, and the three best filmmakers will get Rs. 50 000, Rs 30 000 and Rs 20 000, respectively.
This year, the public beach of Pointe aux Sables has been chosen to feature the Sware Tipik (Traditional sega night) on the 23rd November. On the 24th November, InterContinental Hotel will host a conference on the theme of the festival, and various well-known figures are expected to attend the event. The big concerts will be held in three sites: Flacq, the football ground in Petite Rivière, and the municipality yard in Curepipe. The Festival International Kreol will end with a carnival from Péreybère to Grand Bay, on the 25th November.
