(Seychelles News Agency) - The parading of vibrant and extravagant costumes is starting from Bois de Rose Avenue just outside the Seychelles capital of Victoria as the fourth Carnaval International de Victoria gets underway.

Mild showers which fell just before noon failed to dampen the enthusiasm and spirit of the 26 international floats alongside their local counterparts taking part in the event.

Sheltering from rain under umbrellas, they continued to add final touches to their floats along Bois De Rose Avenue, as they got ready for the 3.00 pm parade, the main activity of the event dubbed the ‘Carnival of carnivals’ by sections of the global press.

The Indian Ocean Tuna team, for example, added the final touches to their float under the shelter of one the warehouses of the canning factory.

‘There is no plan ‘B’ and we will have to go on the road whether there is rains or not,’ said Barney Adeline who is coordinating the IOT’s float. 

‘Rain no problem. We are ready for the carnival,’ said Xi Juan, as their team readied the Chinese float amid cheerful dance performances." 

Rovin Nourrice of the Seychelles Ports Authority expressed confidence that come 3pm the rains will have subsided.

The official launch of the 4^th Carnaval International de Victoria took place  just after sundown yesterday evening.

Seychelles Minister for Tourism and Culture, Alain St Ange opened the festive event at Stad Popiler in the capital of Victoria during a colourful and vibrant ceremony.

The international delegations performed alongside local artists to showcase the vast culture that the carnival wants to display to the world through the eyes of the 151 international journalists that have flown to Seychelles this year.

As this year’s carnival unfolds the weather is perfect, crowds have already lined up the streets while those who are unable to make it especially those on the other islands are glued to their radio and TV sets as the Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation brings them live coverage of the event.

Sunday April 27, the Seychellois children will take over as they participate in the first Kiddies Carnival put together by Soca artist from Trinidad and Tobago Lima Calbio, aimed at ensuring that the carnival spirit lives on in Seychelles.