13th Edition of the Festival International Kreol : promote Creole culture across a series of events

The 13th edition of the Festival International Kreol will be held from 16th to 25th November under the theme ‘Kreolite Nu Leritaz’. This annual event organised by the Ministry of Tourism in collaboration with the Ministry of Arts and Culture will take a bigger turn this year with the collective work of several ministries and associations campaigning for ‘créolité’ in Mauritius. The event this year will also have a special significance as it coincides with the 50 years of Independence of Mauritius.

The Festival International Kreol aims to promote the authenticity of the Creole culture. A wide range of events will be organised and numerous artists namely from Chagos, Rodrigues and Agalega will participate in the event. “We want to make the Festival International Kreol become a must event for tourism. This is why it should be promoted among tourists in Mauritius during this period. It will have to coincide with some events related to the arrival of cruise ships,” uttered the Minister of Tourism, Anil Gayan. “I want to encourage young local talent through various concerts,” he added. 

The Festival will take place over ten days of activities around music, arts, the Creole language and Mauritian cuisine. The calendar of celebrations includes an evening of fusion poetry and jazz that will kick off the festivities at the Château de Labourdonnais. The novelties this year is the organisation of the ‘Bal Rann Zarico’ in all municipalities and district councils, on Saturday 17th November; a drama and slam competition in Creole language and a short film competition which was already launched September in collaboration with the Mauritius Film Development Corporation. The three best films will be screened at a ‘Cinema en Plenner’ during the evening at Trou d'Eau Douce.

A not-to-miss events of the festival is the great regatta and the culinary festival, which will take place on Sunday 18th November, the concerts of ‘Sega Lontan’ on 22nd November, a ‘Gran Sware Sega Tipik’ on 23rd November as from 7pm at Le Morne Village (opposite Government School), and the ‘Sware Konser’ in three different places, in Flacq, Petite Rivière and Curepipe. The Festival will close with a big carnival at Grand Bay. Minister Gayan stated that Brazilian dancers will travel for the occasion.