It was already ten years ago, the Dieppe exhibition fair welcomed for its twenty years of existence the Seychelles as guests of honor and at the top of the bill, the great singer Dave Sinon who obtained on this occasion a huge success . .

Patrick Bordier , the dynamic organizer wanted to reward his loyal exhibitors. The visitors, the curious, the enthusiasts and the buyers had moved, of course to discover a country, which they, for the most part, did not know.

In the aftermath, Caroline Cadot, a young shopkeeper from the Union Commerciale et Artisanale d’Aumale had the idea of ​​going to the Stand of the Seychelles to ask the Consul to participate in an event in preparation called “Le Marché du Monde”.

The agreement was immediate and this is how this trade festival was born and the town of Aumale and its inhabitants were also going to discover the Seychelles.

Ten years later, these same actors have returned to the prestigious setting of the “Butter hall”. Caroline Cadot did not take long to convince all her partners. Several countries present at the first edition were once again part of the party. Patrick Bordier and his wife went from the status of Director of the Dieppe Fair to that of exhibitor in this beautiful event. Jean Michel Van Der Hasselt, the famous French photographer specializing in tourist photography, was present at this world market.

By displaying his works concerning a dozen islands of the Archipelago Jean Michel knew that he would please visitors. Nature, sea, vegetation, birds, turtles were featured in a high quality presentation.

This well-commented exhibition has won awards in several international competitions.

The Seychellois gastronomy in the middle of that of Madagascar , the West Indies , Vietnam , Japan and many others has been highly appreciated. The entertainment based on songs, music and dances from the countries of the Indian Ocean thrilled the large audience. Street protests by workers demanding higher wages had caused a shortage of fuel as gas stations could not be delivered in a timely manner. This did not disrupt the demonstration.

Trips and stay to be won in the Seychelles

For the tenth anniversary, the Commercial Union of Aumale had planned that three euros of purchases in stores offered a ticket giving access to a draw at the end of November in order to win attractive gifts. The World Market was part of a grand presentation. All the streets of the village were in celebration. An excellent host, microphone in hand, promoted the merchants and their products. The aim of this initiative was to retain local customers and attract new ones living several kilometers from downtown Aumale.

The world market was a great success and the Seychelles benefited from it in an unquestionable way. It is undeniable that the Archipelago was one of the arguments of a surprising enthusiasm with a large public.

The smiles on the lips of the buyers and their joie de vivre were particularly heartening.

You had to see people, even of a certain age, strolling on the stage when they were invited by the artists to present their know-how in these new dances that they were discovering for the first time.

On this occasion, the Union Commerciale d’Aumale transformed itself into a seller of happiness by offering the winners the opportunity to win a trip to the Seychelles to dream islands.

We are sure that many visitors to the world market must have spent restless nights thinking of the sea, the blue sky and the sand which they hope to discover thanks to the many three euro tickets deposited in the ballot boxes.

The magic of Christmas before its time was felt during this world market.

About 60 trips to the Seychelles booked during this world market

Normally this world market was intended to make purchases of everyday consumer products and handicrafts as souvenirs.

The surprise on Saturday and Sunday was the Seychelles travel bookings.

Advertising through newspapers was particularly successful. The organizers had reserved in the local weekly “Le Réveil  ” four promotional pages. “Le Réveil  ” is in the same format as “1” and is read by the entire population. Apart from the posting in each store, the town hall had its municipal bulletin distributed in each mailbox of the inhabitants. ? Another newspaper “Courrier Picard” also published an article and this explains why people traveled more than a hundred kilometers to get to the Seychelles stand.

A couple wishing to get married in the Seychelles in 2023 came to inquire and book trips for them, their family and their witnesses. It’s not over and this young couple still hopes to convince their friends to accompany them on this wonderful adventure. Along with the other hyper-interested candidates, there are already, and counting, around sixty Seychelles lovers who in 2023 will have a great trip and will become ardent promoters of this dream destination.

Above all, there should be no doubting the power of a newspaper article or an advertisement. Moreover, an exhibition of a selection of articles published in the “Nation”, the national newspaper on relations between the Seychelles and Normandy, greatly interested visitors to this world market who wanted to obtain a copy of the writings published by Gérard Govinden the director of the daily National Seychellois.

Seychelles Consul becomes honorary citizen of Aumale

Located on the borders of Picardy, Oise and Seine Maritime, Aumale was for a long time the stronghold of the Dukes of Normandy. Until the 19th ^century the city was considered independent as the Principality of Monaco. Trade and industry were flourishing. The market that still exists was created in 1489 by the King of France Charles VIII.

The city has grown from 1200 inhabitants in the last century to 3000 today.

The town of Aumale has been transformed over the centuries. Now this city offers a multitude of activities with its campsite, its hiking trails and its cultural associations. Sports clubs offer everyone the activity they want to practice. A marching band and an association of cheerleaders participate in the various events in the city.

The city is twinned with a city called: CSURGO located in the South of Hungary. Exchanges of inhabitants take place regularly for the greatest pleasure of everyone. At the end of each stay, it is the emotion that is felt by the population who are only waiting for one thing to see each other again in order to carry out all the projects envisaged. René Deblangy the president of the twinning committee is accompanied by Alain Belou and Françoise Boilau who are members of the brotherhood of the Pomme d’Yere and who held a lively stand. It is useless to recall that the apple is the most common fruit in Normandy.

During a friendly reception which brought together exhibitors and members of the Municipal Council of Aumale, the Consul of the Seychelles in Normandy was elevated to the rank of honorary citizen of the city of Aumale by Virginie Lucot Avril , Mayor of this welcoming city.

Would the new honorary citizen be considered a worthy successor to the Dukes of Normandy? One thing is certain, the Seychelles are also honored through this distinction.

Source: Seychelles Nation