Seychelles: President Herminie Leads First Official Commemoration of Abolition of Slavery Day

The National Library of Seychelles this morning hosted the nation’s first official observance of Abolition of Slavery Day, a ceremony led by President Dr. Patrick Herminie that united themes of history, culture, and national reflection.

The event opened with a moving poem by young Seychellois artist Tyler Rosalie, whose performance of “En let pou mon met” set a contemplative tone. His striking line — “We have broken the chains that bound our hands; now let us free our minds of the chains” — drew the President’s attention and deeply resonated with all present, encapsulating the ceremony’s spirit of remembrance and resilience.

In his remarks, President Herminie reminded attendees that the gathering was not only about marking a historical date but about “listening to its echoes.” He described the abolition of slavery as more than the end of a system — it marked the beginning of an ongoing journey: from silence to voice, from displacement to belonging, and from survival to self-definition.

The President reflected on how slavery had torn people from their homelands and erased their identities, yet from that rupture arose something remarkable — a Creole people shaped by resilience, creativity, and adaptation. He evoked the surrounding ocean as both witness and symbol: once carrying pain and separation, today it embodies connection and renewal.

Traditional dances of Sokwe and Tinge followed, celebrating two endangered cultural forms rooted in ancestral belief and resistance. The Sokwe performance especially drew attention, with dancers in banana-leaf costumes — a tradition symbolizing protection, healing, and continuity. The programme also featured “I Gou” by Raspyek, a raw and powerful poem meditating on memory and identity.

A highlight of the ceremony came with the unveiling of a commemorative plaque by President Herminie and Ms. Cecilia Adrienne, a descendant of enslaved people. The plaque marks a lasting national commitment to honour those who endured slavery. Later this year, a monument will be commissioned at the commemorative site.

Minister for Tourism and Culture Mrs. Amanda Bernstein placed the day in historical perspective, recalling that when the Emancipation Act took effect in 1835, most inhabitants of Seychelles were enslaved people drawn from across the region. While slavery ended in law, she observed, its legacy has continued to shape the nation’s identity, culture, and traditions.

Music carried a message of hope and unity through a performance of “En Referen Lespwar,” written and composed by Jean-Marc Volcy and interpreted by singers Farhine Ali, Alessandro Evenor, Laureen Leon, Jose Bibi, and Leah Celestine.

Guests were also invited to preview the exhibition “Echoes Across the Ocean,” featuring over 50 works by five Seychellois artists exploring themes of slavery, memory, and identity. Emmanuel D’Offay honours forgotten faces lost to history; Leon Radegonde reflects on labour and inherited memory; Urny Mathiot confronts the island’s painful early history; Egbert Marday’s “Pompe Story” recalls resistance and injustice; and Michel Denousse uses art photography to reinterpret multiple perspectives on slavery.

Commemorative activities will continue over the coming week, concluding on 10 February with a cultural talk by Dr. Odile de Commarmond. The exhibition will also travel to regional venues until 1 May, extending the reflection on slavery, resilience, and identity across the nation.

Joining President Herminie at the ceremony were Vice President Mr. Sebastien Pillay, Cabinet Ministers, members of the diplomatic corps, senior government officials, and invited guests — a testament to the event’s national importance and shared commitment to preserving Seychelles’ collective memory.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Seychelles.