ICOMOS enters the national scene of Heritage conservation

• ICOMOS - Seychelles

ICOMOS-Seychelles is an association registered in Seychelles and affiliated to ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites), an international non-governmental organisation dedicated to the conservation of the world’s monuments and sites.

As a key partner to UNESCO in the area of heritage conservation Icomos is an active proponent of the International Day of Monuments and Sites which is marked on the 18th April annually.The theme which has been selected by Icomos for the 2024 International Day of Monuments and Sites is “Disasters and Conflicts”.

It takes into account the challenges of climate emergency,the growing number of natural disasters and conflicts which pose a threat to heritage sites as well as the displacement of communities on a massive scale.Faced with these challenges it is essential to “…look back on our shared inheritance and ahead as we ask ourselves what the pragmatic needs of heritage practice are today.” (Icomos Secretariat).

Icomos Seychelles is pleased to be part of the celebrations marking the 18th April and conveys its good wishes to all heritage activists in Seychelles.

ICOMOS-Seychelles seeks to complement the work of the Seychelles National Heritage Resource Council, particularly concerning the country’s built heritage and structures and sites of historical, scientific or cultural interest. To that end it has established good working relations with the Council.

During Heritage Week two years ago, members of ICOMOS -Seychelles joined staff of the Council in cleaning the site of the former leper settlement on the island of Curieuse. Last November ICOMOS-Seychelles collaborated with the Council for the setting up of a replica of the Pierre de possession on the rock by La Poudrière Road on which the original stone was placed in 1756. (The replica was built by sculptor James Auguste).

• An old water fountain

One of the current projects of ICOMOS-Seychelles is to find the location of former public water fountains and to advocate for the preservation of those that still remain. We would be grateful for the assistance of the general public in informing us of the location of existing or former water fountains in their districts.

Anne-Mary Collet is the Secretary of ICOMOS-Seychelles. She may be contacted through WhatsApp +248 2711495 or email – annmarycollet@gmail.com.