By Jimoh Babatunde, with agency reports

Thousands of spectators  lined the streets of Seychelles’ small capital city weekend to watch and cheer as over 50 colorful floats paraded for this fifth Carnaval International de Victoria.

It was a true melting pot of cultures in Victoria as countries from near and far flew their national flags in a colorful parade which snaked through the streets of the small capital.

Well before 3 o’clock, the floats had aligned on Bois de Rose Avenue where the performers were already in the mood to dance and sing for the many spectators on the streets.

From Bois de Rose Avenue, the floats went on Latanier Road to perform in front of the VIPs seated at the International Conference Centre, then made their way to the streets of Victoria, and in the Stad Popiler car park where many other high officials and members of the public were.

The first float in the parade was a replica of a giant land tortoise mounted on a truck.

The giant land tortoise, known as Per Kobe, enthralled many of the spectators who were in Victoria as it reminded them of the one that paraded the streets of Victoria in the first carnival ever which was organized in 1972.

It was the Seychelles Car Hire Association that had come up with this brilliant idea to showcase one of the most important parts of the country’s flora and fauna, and heritage.

Spectators cheered as the four beauty queens 6 Miss United States of America Elizabeth Safrit, Miss Australia Courtney Thorpe, Miss Tanzania Happiness Watimanywa, and Miss Seychelles…another world 2014 Camila Estico were the ones on the Per Kobe float.

The biggest float was the one for United Concrete Products Seychelles, while the delegation from Nias Island was the first international float in the parade.

For the children, it is surely the many cartoon characters in the Italian float that amazed them. Minnie Mouse, Smurf, Sponge Bob, and their friends gave an unforgettable carnival experience to the children.

The country’s own Miss Seychelles…another world contestants for this year were also part of the float. They were on the Seychelles Tourism Board’s float which was all about showcasing the unique selling points of the islands.

The Seychelles Tourism Board’s float was among the over 30 floats that had registered to take part in this year’s Carnaval International de Victoria, which is celebrating its fifth anniversary.

Brazil, Dusseldorf, China, and Cape Minstrels from South Africa were among the faithful carnival floats, and this year again they were in the streets of Victoria to give amazing performances.

Newcomers like Ivory Coast and Swaziland gave spectacular performances, showcasing the beauty and diversity of the cultures on the African continent.

Notting Hill Roadshow Company was the last float in the parade. With colorful costumes and pulsating music, Notting Hill, lead by Claire Holder, had spectators dancing and closed the parade on a beautiful note with their float.

Kiddies carnival: Kiddies carnival in Seychelles reached new heights in a marriage of tourism and culture with the protection of the environment

Hundreds of little masquerades paraded at Freedom Square in the centre of Victoria for the second edition of the Seychelles Kiddies carnival.

Children’s playground

The 2015 Kiddies carnival started at children’s playground “ Paradis des enfants” and ended up in Freedom Square where the children, through their displays, gave an adorable show to the public. The little masquerades weighed their costumes and themes on originality.

Their performances were of stunning quality. Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister for Tourism and Culture congratulated the children for their carnival outfits made from recycle materials.

“This Kiddies carnival is bringing in a new culture. Our children are showing the way in the new drive for the consolidation of our island’s sustainable tourism approach.

The schools that participated today are real leaders because they have put all the talking and discussions behind them and came forward to be counted as serious partners of the islands drive for sustainable tourism by creating world class displays using only recycle materials” Minister Alain St.Ange said.