Lights, songs and dance open 'Espace,' one of largest complexes in Seychelles

Investment | June 15, 2014, Sunday @ 19:01| 8937 views

Lights show on the facade of Espace, June 14, 2014 (Patrick Joubert, Seychelles News Agency)

(Seychelles News Agency) - Espace, a 6,500 square metre building complex with four floors and an open stage opened in Victoria, the capital of the Seychelles, with a spectacular lights, video and music show last night, with performances from past and present Sesel i Annan Talan (Seychelles Has Got Talent) winners.

The building is a project of Seychelles’ largest youth NGO, Jj Spirit Foundation, whose patron is the Seychelles President James Michel.

The complex, which is an ‘alcohol-free zone’ is home to shops, food outlets, the foundation’s headquarters, as well as government offices and the headquarters of the Cat Cocos ferry service.

“Espace” is an investment for the sustainability of the ambitious youth programmes of the Foundation. It is a space for the youths to develop and grow. It is a gift for the youth of Seychelles. And it is the pride of the Jj Spirit Foundation. Through this investment, we plan to continue to expand our existing programmes,” said Lise Bastienne, chairperson of the Jj Spirit Foundation in her address at the opening of the building. Bastienne also heads the President’s Office as secretary general of the executive office.

Members gather for the opening night. Jj Spirit Foundation has 10,000 registered members. (Patrick Joubert, Seychelles News Agency) Photo license: Attribution

She says that revenue from Espace will ensure the realisation a new drug rehabilitation programmes for ‘youths who have fallen victim to substance abuse.’

She added the foundation has helped 50 young Seychellois with seed funding to start their micro enterprises in the last five years since the creation of the youth NGO, as well as helping twenty-four young Seychellois with scholarships to become computer engineers, pilots, seafarers, accountants, beauticians, with qualifications ranging from diplomas up to masters level.

Lise Bastienne addressing the crowd (Patrick Joubert, Seychelles News Agency) Photo license: Attribution

The foundation also organizes the Sesel i Annan Talan contest as well as charitable activities in the community, and has 10,000 members.

Espace took 16 months to complete and cost around $12.3 million, which was funded by a loan from Nouvobanq, as well as foreign and Seychellois donors including Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Abdulmohsen al Sheikh, Diana Chen, Consul General of Seychelles in Hong Kong, Xu Weiping, Chairman of ABP Group of Companies, Dr Sidney To, Counsellor in the Embassy of Seychelles in the People’s Republic of China, Mr Sivasankaran, Chairman, SIVA Group of Companies, the Association of Friends and Affiliated Members of the Jj Spirit Foundation in Italy, the Morin Group, the Sea Cucumber Harvest Association as well as other persons and organisations, who asked to remain anonymous, according to the foundation.

SNA presents a series of photos from the Espace opening night.

(Patrick Joubert, Seychelles News Agency) Photo license: Attribution

President Michel inaugurates the building, with his daughter Laeticia by his side (Patrick Joubert, Seychelles News Agency) Photo license: Attribution

Young people celebrate opening a building, which becomes home of their organisation (Patrick Joubert, Seychelles News Agency) Photo license: Attribution