From 30 November to 7 December 2025, Rodrigues vibrated to the rhythm of its culture for the 26th edition of the Kréol Rodrig Festival, under the theme ‘Ansanm Nou Kiltir Kréol Al Pli Lwin’ (Together We Make Creole Culture More Beautiful).
Supported by the Regional Assembly and the Tourism Commission, and organised by the Culture, Arts, Youth and Sports Commission under the responsibility of Commissioner Joseph Varok Ravina, in collaboration with Phoenix Bev (Rodrigues) and other partners, the Kréol Rodrig Festival brilliantly showcased Creole identity through music, dance, storytelling, arts, crafts and gastronomy. (First photo caption)
The opening ceremony in Baie Topaze set the tone for a week marked by tradition and sharing, with the Maryaz Lontan parade, traditional games and a grand inaugural concert. The public was also able to enjoy local specialities offered at food stands set up around the football field.
Among the personalities present were:
• Emmanuel D’Offay (Creative Seychelles Agency)
• José Arunasalom (Tourism Authority of Mauritius) and Minakshi Thanoo (National Heritage Fund, Mauritius)
• Franceau Grandcourt, Chief Commissioner, his deputy, Johnson Roussety, Jean-Alain Wong So, Commissioner for Tourism, Nicolas Volbert, Head of Health, Aurèle André, President of the government agency Discovery Rodrigues, and Issana Agathe, Director of the Tourist Office. (2nd Picture’s caption)
The following day, in Port Mathurin, the Lafwar Artistik & Restoran Kréol, set up under a large marquee near the Tourist Office, offered the public the opportunity to sample typical dishes while discovering artisanal creations. The event brought together participants from the Seychelles, Agalega and the Chagos Islands, illustrating the spirit of sharing and openness of the Festival Kréol Rodrig.
Throughout the week, the capital vibrated to the rhythm of traditional dances and music, while Rue de la Solidarité was transformed into an open-air stage, showcasing Rodriguan craftsmanship through handmade creations such as woven vacoa bags, paintings, bracelets and decorative objects, in an authentic and festive atmosphere.
Festival highlights
On Tuesday 2 and Saturday 6 December, the Mon Loisir Cultural and Leisure Centre was packed to capacity. The S’Kool of Arts troupe presented its musical ‘Avan Ler’, while on Saturday 6 December, at the same venue, ‘Lanwit Kont, Imour ek Poezi Kréol’ combined music, dance and humour, showcasing artists from Rodrigues, Mauritius and the Seychelles. On 3 December, the Baladirou Youth Centre hosted the symposium ‘Kolok lor bann Patrimwann Kiltirel Imateryel Losean Indien’ (Talking about the Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Indian Ocean), attended by commissioners Johnson Roussety and Varok Ravina, as well as Aurèle André.
Kolok lor bann Patrimwann Kiltirel Imateryel Losean Indien
In front of a large audience, stakeholders from the Indian Ocean discussed the challenges of preserving and transmitting the intangible cultural heritage of the Indian Ocean, with notable contributions from Dr Deborah Yanni Shamir Maury (Rodrigues), Reuban Lespoir and Emmanuel D’Offay from the Seychelles on the preservation of Creole culture and language. A round table discussion, moderated by Zyno Alfred, President of the Agalega Island Council, addressed issues of recognition and promotion of cultural identities, enriched by the testimony of Anne Marie Saint-Marie, representative of the refugee group from the Chagos Archipelago, and Zakaria Mall, Director of the Réunion-based agency Komkifo. The symposium concluded with a speech by Davy Williams Perrine, Head of Arts & Culture in Rodrigues, calling for a combination of memory and innovation to ensure the vitality of regional heritage. From 3 to 13 December, the Centre de Lecture Publique et d’Animation Culturelle (CELPAC) in Port-Mathurin hosted an exhibition by the Nu Arts association, showcasing the talent of local painters. During this period, CELPAC also hosted the grand Dicté Kreol, which brought together more than fifty participants in a friendly atmosphere.
The event concluded on 4 December 2025 with an awards ceremony and presentation of certificates, attended by Commissioner Joseph Varok Ravina and Emmanuel D’Offay (Seychelles). The villages of Eau Vannée and Papaye vibrated to the rhythm of Bal Bobes on Friday, 5 December. Residents and visitors enjoyed traditional music and dance performed by artists from the groups Camaron, Nouvo Soleil and Bwa Siro Dibawa Dir, while sampling local specialities in a warm and friendly atmosphere.
The Kréol Rodrig Festival ended on 7 December 2025 in Pointe l’Herbe, after a week of cultural, artistic and community activities. The closing day was punctuated by the Sega Tanbour Rodrig, the Festival Régat and the Konser Océan Indien, bringing together nearly 3,500 spectators. Before the final day, a meeting organised at the Centre for Sustainable Integrated Development allowed Véronique Leu-Govind, Junior Minister of Arts and Culture of Mauritius, and Mahendra Gondeea, Minister, to exchange views with artists, cultural actors and institutional representatives. Discussions focused on the challenges facing the arts sector, its evolution, the structuring and professionalisation of artists, and the promotion of local talent.
The stage then welcomed numerous local artists from Rodrigues (Alpha Omega, Étoile d’Or, La Flamme des Îles, Nefta, Captain Hooligan, Sydney Alfred, Blacrod Rodrigues), as well as artists from Mauritius (Sylvain Kaleecharan, Oeson, Jamily Jeanne, Nikita Rose) and the Seychelles (Jean-Marc Volcy, Daniel Francourt). Thanks to the support of Ken Fock Keng Ho Tu Nam, operations manager at Phoenix Bev, a 100% Rodriguan show was presented, bringing together musicians, singers and dancers from the island.
The festival emphasised sustainability, with trophies, glasses and symbolic supports made from recycled materials, and benefited from the presence of Véronique Leu-Govind and Mahendra Gondeea, who started the regatta.
The little pearl of the Indian Ocean, Rodrigues Island, combining tradition and innovation, thrilled locals and visitors from various countries for a week during its Creole festival, like a living heart of culture, and promises to beat even stronger this year, after a 2025 edition already considered one of the most successful. The date is already set!
By Joey Nicles Modest
