Thousands of people turned up at the Stad Popiler car park, in Victoria on Saturday evening to bid farewell to 2022 and welcome the new year, in the presence of their loved ones.

After a two-year break due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the street party was back in full force, and a cloudy weather with passing rain did not deter the public, attracting people of all ages.

It was the renowned band ‘Laflanm’ that was entertaining the crowd, as people danced to the popular new year tunes of a dozen local singers, including DJ Junior with ‘Problenm Avek Sa Lannen’, François Larue with his repertoire also adapted to bring in the new year flair, Phillip Toussaint as well as newcomer Farhine Ali, who sung Stella Nibourette’s classic ‘La Sa lannen I ale”, just before the stroke of midnight.

The countdown to midnight, led by MC Galen Bresson, was met with loud cheers and shouts, as people followed the countdown from the large public screen installed recently for the football world cup. This year Seychelles greeted the new year with a firework display, courtesy of construction company, Turnkey Solutions.

For artist John Wirtz, performing on New Year’s Day is a welcoming routine. Speaking to Seychelles NATION, he said it was an honour to be invited “and looking at the number of people who had turned, Seychellois still loved their ambiance and their new year festivities and street party”.

Mr Wirtz, who described 2022 as a generally good year, said he hopes 2023 brings only the best for the people.

“I hope it brings love, prosperity, work and more money for the people,” he said.

For student Aliane Furneau, who was doing her A Levels, “2022 was a tough year especially because of the exam”. She was looking forward to a better 2023.

This was echoed by Chris Bacco, who was dancing and partying with some friends. He told Seychelles NATION he wanted to see the back of 2022. “There were so many difficulties this year, but I have a great feeling about 2023, and it is the year where I ensure that I succeed, so I am really looking forward to it,” he said.

As for Nadia Esparon, 2022 brought its shares of “ups and downs but I am hopeful for 2023, and hopefully it will be better for everyone in all aspects be it personal or professional”.

Speaking to Seychelles NATION, the event coordinator, Basil Bouchereau of Kasamba Productions, who had been tasked by Creative Seychelles Agency to organise the event, said the street party went according to plan.

He said based from his experience of organising such big events, he estimated that between seven and eight thousand people turned up for the street party.

Mr Bouchereau thanked the companies and all individuals for their role in a successful event.

“I am very satisfied with everything from the musicians, the singers, the lights and sounds, how the countdown went down and generally the public’s participation and involvement to make the show a success after a two-year break,” said Mr Bouchereau.

Apart from Turnkey Solutions for the firework display, the event was done in collaboration with MV Lights and Sounds led my Mervin Nourrice, Subash Pillay of Deepam Cinema and State House which allowed the use of the new public screen for the countdown.

The celebrations into the new year 2023 went on until 2am, where people partied and danced the night away, while enjoying food and drinks from various stalls put up all around the car park.

The accompanying photos show highlights of the ambience during the street party.

Source: Seychelles Nation