Mauritius is hosting the International Kreol Festival from 12 to 22 December, 2024

Media Release (14 December)

International Kreol Festival in Trou d’Eau Douce: Creolité can also jazz!

Edouard Maunick, the late world-famous Mauritian poet, was born in Flacq. Just a stone’s throw from Trou d’Eau Douce. And the lover of words that he was knew more than anything that Creolité could also jazz.

And that even if this village in the east is a long way from New Orleans, the sea is always just a space to be explored. With boots of seven places and a slam of the tropics, we could marry the black notes of Louisiana with the tropical rhythm of the ravanne. The result is a marriage blessed by Mo’zar.

The shadow of another deceased musician, José Thérèse, hung over this festival. And if you closed your eyes, you’d think you heard him setting the tone for the musicians who now lead the Mo’Zar ensemble, a crazy project set up to save the children of the ghetto from poverty and social ills.

The Kreol Festival can also bring together old glories, both musical and poetic. And young up-and- comers Blackwell and Kelly Ang Tin Hone, slammers for a night, can hope to wear Edouard’s shoes in a future chiselled with flamboyant flowers.

All that was missing was Charles Baissac, even though his name has yet to be spoken, to remind us that he is the man who brought sirandanes to life in books. So that these ‘zedmo’, these puns that seduced Malcolm de Chazal as much as Jean-Marie Gustave Le Clézio, winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature. But we’ll have to remember that there was a Baissac, to exorcise the voodoo nights that gave birth to sega, blues and jazz. And the Kreol Jazz Pioneers and Philippe Thomas, now in charge of Mo’Zar, can call on big brother Louis Armstrong:

‘I see trees of green, red roses too
I see them bloom for me and for you And I think to myself
What a wonderful world…’

Yes, the world is beautiful when it’s Creole. And Creole is beautiful when it’s jazz. The waves applauded this tropical surrealism. Like an invitation to fraternity. Richard Duval, the Minister for Tourism, knows what he’s talking about: ‘We’ve given visibility to artists thanks to the Kreol Festival. Fode pa nou ena fristrasion dan zorey’.

Listen up: Creolité is more alive than ever. It lives in a freshwater hole. Like a spring that never runs dry!

Media Release (13 December)

The International Kreol Festival kicks off in Le Morne: Mauritianism as an offering.

At the foot of the Great Pyramid of Egypt, Napoleon Bonaparte took the measure of time and humility. It would not be wrong to say that Navin Ramgoolam, the Prime Minister, and Paul Bérenger, his deputy, having both visited the summit of the Morne mountain, were able to contemplate Creolité in all its splendour.

It was in fact in this symbolic place, at the foot of this mountain listed as a World Heritage Site, that the communion between a people and those who chart its destiny took place yesterday.

With two ministers conducting the orchestra, Richard Duval for Tourism and Mahen Gondeea for Culture, one could only shudder at the sound of the words that testified to the Creole richness of this island. Créolité, boté nou morisianism’, a theme that makes perfect sense, as Zanzak Arjoon, griot for the evening and philosopher of a mixed-race festival, points out.

This 19th edition of the Kreol Festival is all about sharing. And an offering to the other islands, which have also been invited to join in this tapestry of culinary, musical, literary and political expression. The setting of Le Morne reflects the sacred nature of this meeting of unity: ‘It is the expression of the soul and history of the former slaves’, says Mahen Gondeea. And ‘lapo kabri’ by the group Muzik Dezil thrills the mountain cliffs and the hearts of those present.

The importance of locating the Kreol Festival in the heart of the Cathedral of Le Morne is clear. In this place, men and women have preferred to be close to death, rather than let it enslave them. In a way, this event represents a liberation for all those who want to break free from ethnic compartmentalisation. For Creolity explodes the bars of the mind, and opens up human thought. ‘I’m taking responsibility for this event tonight,’ says Richard Duval. And from 12 to 22, we’ll be celebrating the beauty of Creolité together. We’re not just playing with words. Creolité is the living flame of our multicultural country. And this Festival today represents openness and fusion. It’s not for nothing that sega is now appreciated by all sections of the population.

And that’s what gives Festival Kreol its ‘special character, because we’re also calling on those who give a country its soul. Creolité has this intrinsic capacity to bring a people together. And to highlight the richness of Creole culture’, adds Richard Duval, himself the flamboyant heir of a man renowned for his celebration of Creole culture.

So it’s not just about trying to see Madagascar from the top of Le Morne. It’s also about showing the beauty of the island-archipelago, whose aura shines beyond the horizon, from Rodrigues to Saint- Brandon, via Agaléga and the Chagos. Not forgetting the Creole islands of Seychelles, Réunion, Guadeloupe and Martinique. Our Creole identity has become our strength. Where everyone respects each other’s identity. That’s why we want this Festival to become an unforgettable moment for everyone’, concluded the Minister of Tourism.

The four government representatives, Richard Duval, Mahen Gondeea, Paul Bérenger and Navin Ramgoolam were each presented with a ravan. The instrument that best personifies the Creole spirit so much in evidence at this Festival. To the sound of the ‘lapo kabri’ of the group Musik Dezil, those present let themselves be caught up in the past. And they took a dip in the Creole water. The Indian Sea, listening intently to the speeches, nodded in waves. A great moment of unity and mutual respect. And it won’t be ephemeral,’ promised an ecstatic Paul Bérenger.

While Navin Ramgoolam, a drummer by passion, highlights the percussion of his words. To shape the desire ‘to preserve and cherish freedom. We appreciate its flavour even more today. Like the maroons of Le Morne, we have just emerged from a period of slavery. But we have woven the fabric of freedom through the joie de vivre that permeates this Festival. Creole culture is inseparable from the Creole community. But in 2006, I launched this festival of sharing for the first time. The aim was to bring together the entire Mauritian nation. And our typical sega is an asset. There are more things that bring us together. And Creolité is our pride, our heritage. I will make it my duty to bring the whole Mauritian nation together around our quadricolour. This flag belongs to everyone. Kréolité, bote nou morisianism’ is the true plea for uniting this people.

From 12 to 22 December, Mauritius will be hosting the International Kreol Festival.

For the first time, the whole island will be vibrating to the sounds and flavours of this festival, whose theme this year is very inclusive: Kreolite boté nou mauricianisme (creolity, beauty of our Mauritianism).

Unveiling the Festival schedule this afternoon at the highly symbolic Musée Intercontinental de l’Esclavage, Tourism Minister Richard Duval and Junior Minister Sydney Pierre emphasised the national aspect of this celebration.

‘This national festival is intended to bear witness to the richness of our Creole culture, without which Mauritius would not be what it is. We wanted it to be very diverse and we designed it as a showcase for our Creole culture,’ said Richard Duval.

The Ministry of Tourism has also made a point of taking the Festival to the four corners of the island. From 16th to 20th, a Festival caravan will be criss-crossing the island, performing Creole comedy shows and targeting underprivileged areas.

For Sydney Pierre, the International Kreol Festival is the perfect opportunity to show the world our Creole identity and know-how. ‘Creolité is a vast worldwide movement and Mauritius undeniably has its place in it. We want this Festival, over the years, to become one of the reasons why tourists come to visit us. In any case, all our representative offices around the world have been asked to promote it’.

Some twenty journalists from 13 of our issuing countries are in Mauritius to cover the event.

The Minister of Tourism also stressed that the International Kreol Festival is just the beginning of his ministry’s commitment to showcasing different facets of Mauritius, in addition to its beautiful beaches and world-class hotels.