Organisers announce plans for commemoration of Seychelles 1st edition of Abolition of Slavery Day

The Minister for Tourism and Culture, Amanda Bernstein, announced the launch of a national call for artists to design a monument to be unveiled in 2027 at Remembrance Park.

The announcement was made on Monday, at the first meeting to officially present the national programme of activities for the first edition of the commemoration of the Abolition of Slavery Day on February 1.

The designation of February 1, which falls on a Sunday this year, as a national public holiday to be known as Abolition of Slavery Day, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers on December 24.

In granting its approval, the Cabinet noted that the observance will provide a national space for reflection, education, and unity, strengthen heritage preservation, and support cultural and heritage tourism.

A first meeting was held on Monday, to officially present the national programme of activities for the event that the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and key partners, have developed.

The Minister for Tourism and Culture, Amanda Bernstein, said this commemoration honours the Seychellois ancestors and their sacrifices.

On her side, the Principal Secretary for Culture, Cecile Kalebi, said that 2026 marks the first time this commemoration is being elevated to a national event.

The Principal Secretary for Tourism, Sherin Francis, highlighted the importance of culture and heritage in our national identity and tourism offer and local expert Odile De Comarmond reminded the people that this day is observed in gratitude for the resilience of those who came before us.

Throughout February, the public will be invited to take part in exhibitions across all districts, cultural talks, a special show, and roundtable discussions.

With the designation, Seychelles, an archipelago in the western Indian Ocean, will recognise the day’s historical, cultural, and socio-economic significance and honour the resilience and contributions of enslaved and liberated Africans who shaped the nation.

As part of the activities, an exhibition will open on Friday, 30 January at the National History Museum in Victoria. This will include essays, drawings, and poems reflecting children’s interpretations of slavery, and will remain open until February 28. 

PS Kalebi said this will look at the point of view of children and how they interpret the topic of slavery. 

The official commemorative ceremony on 1 February will take place in the morning and focus on reflection through artistic expression, which will include dance, poetry, music, and an official segment.

There will also be cultural programming, which will continue with the rebroadcast of Nesans en Pep by the Mahe Chamber Choir on SBC 1.

Two exhibitions will open at the National Gallery from February 3 to March 3, entitled ‘Echoes Across the Ocean and Memory,’ and Enslavement and Identity.’

To ensure that the three main islands of Seychelles are covered, a travelling district exhibition will start on March 9 and will rotate weekly across Mahe, Praslin and La Digue.