Mauritius is the dream destination for any ardent traveller.Visiting it during the Kreol Festival is like the icing on the cake. My adrenaline rushed, rather gushed, when I was packing my bags for a five- day tour. I knew what was in store – sun kissed beaches, turquoise water, whistling winds and rustling palms and all that I love.
International Kreol Festival is a big crowd puller. People from all around the world throng to this place. This festival is held each year around this time of the year, when the weather is warm, competing with the warmth of the Mauritian hospitality. This year it was from November 22-25. Fully packed with various activities, it was too hard for anyone to resist.
What is Kreol ? Kreol is their language. It is their culture. It is their being. It is their core. That is Kreol…..the soul of every islander. And they celebrate this identity and share the joy with people from other parts of the world.
The Festival International Kreol is, at its core, a manifestation for the kreol identity and a celebration of culture of the island as experienced for generations. It offers the Mauritian, fascinating moments full of colours, sounds and fragrances of the kreol world that treasures its traditions as well as its present, an experience which is unique and is worth being proud of.
There were media groups from various countries. We were in one big group, interacting and exchanging notes, going around sight seeing and attending various events that were lined up for the Kreol Festival . Of course, having fun together was the biggest attraction for all of us. It was like a big family, bonding over meals, music, dance and merry making.
On the first day, there was a cultural show at Cite La Cure, comprising slams, poems, music and dance. Second day we travelled long to reach Le Morne, a small village on the southwest side of Mauritius. Windswept and exotic, this place attracts many a tourist. On the lovely beaches of this charming village we had a most memorable night of Sega music and dance. The night flew like a breeze in the romantic settings of water, wind and the darkness of night dotted by fire places. The drummers warming their drums and the dancers drunk with excitement !
On the third day we had an interesting conference at Grand Bay. The venue was decorated with the most exotic flowers and fruits from the island. Very artistically done, it appealed to the senses and set the right mood for the meaningful gathering. The opening Lamizik Spektak ek dans was the most fascinating dance I have ever seen.
The music was so vibrant and the dance so sensual, it was totally mesmerizing. The conference was attended by Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam himself. Unassuming, and with a great sense of humour, he spoke warmly to the gathering, having them in splits. The conference was centered on the Kreol theme. The presenters were passionate about their arguments and their anguish for their roots and identity came through the animated speeches they made.
Yannick Fontaine, a journalist from the Reunion Island, made a strong point with his highly stimulating talk, imploring for the Kreol identity and place.
That night we went for the Gran Konser which was an all night concert with approximately 30 groups performing to pulsating music. The stage was set in grandeur, thousands of music lovers literally begging for more music from some famous International artists. It was a night that never ended.
On the fourth day the Regatta at Mahebourg beach was one of the most attended events. The beaches were overflowing with people. Innumerable counters selling food, jewellery, clothes etc were packed. Young and old, everyone had only one agenda, to have fun, and live that moment.
Like every year, the renewal of the Kreol experience through this festival has become more than a rendezvous. Thanks to the Ministry of Tourism and Leisure for organising an event of great magnitude and sharing it with a global audience, thus making it a truly universal event. Thank you Mauritius, for the memorable and beautiful experience !!
Vijaya Pratap is a freelance journalist and a documentary filmmaker, based in Hyderabad. She specialises in the study of art, culture, history and wildlife.
Meet the Author – Vijayapratap
