The carnival of carnivals in Victoria, Seychelles, has become one of the city’s most popular and anticipated events. The carnival is held each year to celebrate the diversity of cultures within this small paradise on Earth. A uniquely Creole tradition makes the carnival very diverse, not in only culture, but ethnicity and religion as well. The carnival of carnivals has gotten bigger and better each year and has brought lots of attention to the Seychelles islands.

The carnival has developed into an annual fiesta which can be found in many different parts of the world. While Brazil, Rio de Janiero, Notting Hill, London, Trinidad & Tobago, and Port of Spain have been the most celebrated carnivals for centuries, surely none do so more heartily than the Seychelles islands, as they continue to make a splash in the world with a twist of their own. With a Seychelles theme in mind, Carnaval International de Victoria with its splendid diversity of racial harmony and “melting pot of cultures” promises a flair of the carnival of all carnivals.

The Seychelles’ Carnaval International de Victoria is held in the center of Victoria, and each year over a thousand Seychellois and tourists alike join together sharing good times to the sounds and sights of the carnival. Traditionally, the carnival is held over three days: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and has been held annually since 2011 as the biggest street carnival in Seychelles with over 50 costumed entertainers, food vendors, and various bands and artists.

There are many traditions and customs associated with the 3 days to enjoy: images of sequined and bejeweled costumes, colorful headdresses, bands, entertainers, an array of dancers, world-class floats, and the general feeling of celebration and revelry. The carnival is also famous for its masquerade attire, in particular with masked characters parading through the streets enjoying the fun and engaging the children. Three days of fun abound in various locations in Victoria attracting spectators to another world in the fast-paced atmosphere of this one-of-a-kind event.

Although the 2012 edition drew the largest floats, however, nothing will overtake this 3rd edition of the Carnaval International de Victoria 2013. This year the carnival rivals some of the greatest color and charisma of carnivals worldwide with international floats from some of the world’s most famous carnival countries.

This year for the first time, Brazil will come out in full force, remaining true to its roots, and bringing the most intricate group of Rosas de Ouro Samba Dancers and Drummers.

While the Brazilians are showing off the hottest costumes and strutting their stuff, Notting Hill appears down the road with true Caribbean artistic flair pulling no stops for anyone and combining with Trinidad and Tobago to produce the sounds of the steel bands calypso and soca music and the spectacle of elaborate, carnival costumes.

The Carnaval International de Victoria 2013 aims to showcase a superb combination of colorful costumes and traditional endeavor - the general feeling of celebration and rivalry. Seychelles will surely be the world‘s most dazzling city for those 3 days, and there will be no better way to see the carnival than in downtown Victoria

The carnival consists of up to 20 different countries and cultures, as well as 28 local participants.

Seychelles is a founding member of the International Coalition of Tourism Partners (ICTP).
Source: Seychelles Ministry of Tourism and Culture