(Seychelles News Agency) - Africa Day is the annual commemoration of the foundation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) -- now known as the African Union -- since May 25, 1963.

In Seychelles, an annual festival called FetAfrik is organised to commemorate this day.  FetAfrik is organised every year around May 25 to mark the celebration of one of the five origins of the Seychellois people. The other four origins are French, English, Indian and Chinese.

The Seychelles-Africa festival promotes the cultural and historical links between Africa and the 115-island archipelago situated off the continent's eastern coastline.

This year activities will take place at the International Conference Centre in the capital Victoria as from 10 am on Friday, May 25.

SNA goes back in time and looks at the highlights of the event for the past five years

FetAfrik 2017

For the first time, the festival was coordinated by the newly created agency -- the Creative Industries and National Events Agency (Cinea).

The highlight was the colourful collection from top South African designer Rich Sumani Mnisi was showcased during the Africa Night gala event.

In the official opening, there was a reviving piece of African drum by Seychellois Archille Luc, and a poem by local poets entitled ‘Lafrik’ by Raspyek featuring Angelique Allisop and Vincent Milius.

A new Creole fiction book Zistwar Misterye (Mysterious story) written by the late Leon Bonnelame was also launched during the festival which included a colloquium on ‘Red, Gold, Black and Green’ animated by former minister Peter Sinon. 

FetAfrik 2016

A thrilling performance from a group of drummers from the south of Nigeria marked the opening of the festival in 2016.

Well-known South African street artist Wesley Pepper, a trainer in life skills and living values Helen Sayers as well as professor Samba from Senegal conducted lectures on African renaissance.

Reggae and R&B vibes from Uganda, Radio and Weasel of the Goodlyfe crew as they are best known on the African continent were special guest performers at a musical concert organised as part of Fet Afrik.

FetAfrik 2015

The main event of the day was an exhibition of various works of art from Zambia, Reunion and Seychelles at the National Art Gallery in Victoria.

The exhibition brought together the work of 12 artists on the theme of African art and gave the Seychellois public an opportunity to admire the originality, diversity and creativity that emerges from these paintings, sculptures and ceramics.

Eight Zambian artists were represented in this exhibition and this included Chansa Chisimba, the first Zambian artist to use the fibre from papaya bark as a painting medium.

FetAfrik 2014 

This year the festival focused on the fusion between Seychelles’ unique Creole culture and its maternal African roots. Headlining the festival was Kenyan DJ Kalonje one of Africa’s most sought-after disc jockeys.

A well-known fashion designer from Mali, Alphadi also graced Seychelles’ shores with his masterful designs, straight from the catwalks of Paris on display in the Africa night gala. On the gala’s programme were also the tastes from Southern Africa including a celebrated international chef from Zambia, Musama Kaloto Chamu. 

FetAfrik 2013

The festival saw the participation of the Bomas Masai folklore dance which showcased Kenya’s rich culture. One of the most exciting performances was the Eunoto dance which is usually performed by Masai people who live in Kajiado and Narok districts of Rift Valley province of Kenya.

Also in the spotlight was one of South Africa’s top designers -- Misha Effendi from Cape Town -- and Johannesburg’s most prominent chef and lecturer -- Kabelo Segone.

Combining South Africa’s traditional five-star cuisine with a wide array of bright colours and fabric from this region of the African continent was the highlight of the Africa night gala.