International Day for Monuments and Sites: Open days at historic places

To mark the International Day for Monuments and Sites, the National Heritage Fund (NHF) and the Mauritius Film Development Corporation, in collaboration with the Ministry of Arts and Culture, organised the Award Ceremony of Heritage Short Film Competition on Wednesday 19th April 2017 at the Rajiv Gandhi Science Centre. Minister of Arts and Culture, Pradeep Roopun, was the chief guest of the ceremony and other eminent personalities were also present. 

In the same context, several other activities are being organised at various Heritage Sites around the island. The following heritage sites will be open, on Saturday 22nd April and Sunday 23rd April, free of charge to the public from 9am to 4pm: Aapravasi Ghat WHS, Le Morne Brabant, International Slave Route Monument, Le Morne, Government House and Parliamentary House in Port Louis, State House, SSR Museum, Bras d’Eau National Park, SSR Botanical Garden, Maison St Aubin, Domaines des Aubineaux, Ruins of Belle Mare Sugar Factory, Belle Mare Prison, Frederik Hendrik Museum, Vieux Grand Port, Robert Edward Hart Museum, Souillac, Sookdeo Bissoondoyal Museum, Tyack, Vagrant Depot, GRNW, Martello Tower, La Preneuse, Domaine de Bois Cheri, Bois Cheri, Chateau Riche en Eau Garden, Postal Museum, Port Louis, La Citadel, Port Louis. 

In line with this event, on April 22, entrance fees to the Château Labourdonnais, in Mapou, will be at only Rs 50.

Tours will also be organised on Saturday 22nd April and Sunday 23rd April. Two heritage trails will take place in Port Louis. Departure will take place every one hour from Aapravasi Ghat and Government House. (For more information contact the Aapravasi Ghat Trust Fund on 217-7770). The second heritage tour will take place at Le Morne Cultural Landscape. (For more information contact Le Morne Heritage Trust Fund on 451-5759)

Pedagogical activities for kids will also be on the programme on 22nd and 23rd April. The event will be taking place at Aapravasi Ghat as from 9am. Story telling and initiation to traditional construction techniques will be taking place. (For more information, contact the Aapravasi Ghat on 217-7770)

A treasure hunt will be organised on Friday 28th April and Saturday 29th on the heritage sites in the region of Grand River North West. This will be organised by the Nelson Mandela Centre for African Culture and Mauritius Scouts Association. (For more information, contact the Nelson Mandela Centre for African Culture on 234-1421)