(Seychelles News Agency) - The 29^th Festival Kreol has not been solely about celebrating the creole heritage but also a time to recognize those who have done much in promoting the Creole culture especially the Creole music.

Jany de Letourdie, Patrick Victor, David André and Jean Marc Volcy are four Seychellois artists who have been honoured for their contribution to the Seychelles music industry.

Their devotion to music have earned them a spot on the Seychelles 'Wall of Fame' at the National Cultural Centre in the Seychelles capital of Victoria with their names inscribed in a star-shaped plaque.

The 'Wall of Fame' previously known as the 'Walk of Fame' when it was launched last year is a way of paying tribute to Seychellois artists.This is an initiative of the Seychelles Musicians Association (SEYMAS) and the Ministry of Tourism and Culture.

Speaking at the ceremony to unveil the names of the four new artists joining the Wall of Fame on Tuesday the chairman of SEYMAS, Ralf Amesbury said the recognition is a way of compensating them for their efforts, creativity and active participation on the local musical scene.

David Andre posing next to his name on the star-shaped plaque displaying his name on the Seychelles Wall of Fame (Joe Laurence, Seychelles News Agency) Photo License: CC-BY

"I was not expecting to receive an award," David André told SNA.

"As an artist and a musician of Seychelles, I feel honoured and of course, I am very happy that my country have recognized what I am doing and will continue to do."

The former Director of the Seychelles’ School of Music who studied music in France currently leads the Choral Society of Seychelles and has produced several CDs focusing on the Seychelles natural beauty, flora and fauna.

Veteran musician Patrick Victor highlights a call for national unity amongst the Seychellois nation through his patriotic songs irrespective of political beliefs, colour or creed.  He recently joined Linzy Bacbotte from Mauritius, Eusebia Fatoma from Madagascar, Salim Ali Amir from the Comoros and Davy Sicard from Reunion to produce the Official hymn of the Indian Ocean region titled 'Ensemble' (together).

The only female vocalist amongst the four is Jany de Letourdie has been active over many years in song production, theatre plays, musicals and has released several CDs which have been acclaimed not only within the region but in Europe.

Jany De Letourdie performing at the opening ceremony of the 29th Festival Kreol. (Joe Laurence, Seychelles News Agency) Photo License: CC-BY

Famous for his song titled ‘Bake Yaya’ and other rhythmic drum beats of Creole music, Jean Marc Volcy has won several accolades at local cultural events and emerged as a repeated winner for song competitions both at national and regional level.

The four have now joined the two other local musicians who were the first to join the Seychelles Wall of Fame David Philoe and the late Francois Havelock who died last year. 

Tourism and Culture Minister Alain St Ange has praised SEYMAS for introducing such a recognition for local musicians and spoke highly of the democratic nomination and selection process which took into consideration the respective role each musician has played in contributing and participating in the Seychelles music industry and in bringing the sounds and music of their country to a regional and international level.

Nominating artists to feature on the Seychelles Wall of Fame has now become annual event as part of the Festival Kreol.