The starting-point is Roche Caiman, on the southern outskirts of Victoria, from where the carnivalists head along Bois de Rose Avenue and across the roundabout into Francis Rachel Street. Here, in front of the National Library, groups have a maximum of two minutes to display to the VIPs – look out for President Michel of Seychelles in his characteristic short-sleeved shirt. Masqueraders will also want to put on a good show (for no more than two minutes) in front of the Supreme Court, where the assessors will be waiting to pass judgement on each group. The court is better known for passing sentence on Somali pirates who have plagued the seas in this part of the world for several years.

From here the procession passes the Clock Tower and continues north along Albert Street before turning right into Palm Street. There’s another opportunity to show off those well-rehearsed moves by the Orion Mall (two minutes, again), before turning right into 5th June Avenue, named after the date in 1977 when Prime Minister Albert René ousted President James Mancham in a coup d’etat. Most of the groups will turn off to the right (before the Twa Zwaza – Three Birds – monument) into Freedom Square. This rectangular grassy space is a good place to wind down with a snack and a drink from one of the stalls or to sample soca, sega, zouk and other types of music being played by the trucks as darkness falls.

The three-day festival takes place in the capital, Victoria, focusing on the area around the Clock Tower in the centre of town and Freedom Square (aka Gordon Square) nearby.

Friday 8th February

16.00 Music and other entertainment around town

19.00–20.00 Opening ceremony by the Clock Tower including stage performances

20.00–01.00 Music and other activities in Freedom Square and Stad Popiler car park

Saturday 9th February

15.00 Carnival starts

c16.00 Soca party with DJ Fiesta in Freedom Square

17.00 Dance and percussion performance outside Stad Popiler; food fiesta in town centre

20.00 International music show in Freedom Square

22.00–­01.00 Open-air fete in Victoria

Sunday 10th February

12.00­–17.30 Music and dance on stage in Freedom Square; food fiesta in town

18.00 Close of Carnaval International de Victoria 2013

28th February–2nd March 2014

Carnaval International de Victoria 2014

About 50 groups in total are expected to take part, 20 of them from overseas. The international groups are listed below, with total number in each delegation given in brackets; note that this figure may include non-masqueraders.
Notting Hill Carnival, UK (40)
Cape Town Minstrels, South Africa (7)
Rosas de Ouro Samba School, Brazil (21)
Unnamed group, Le Réunion (60)
Unnamed group, Zimbabwe (30)
Unnamed group, Madagascar (30)
Unnamed group from Rome, Italy (30)
Cham Art Company, South Korea (18)
Sekar Jepun Dancers, Bali, and singer Jessica Hudson, Indonesia (25)
Echasseurs (stilt walkers), Province of Namur, Belgium (17)
Unnamed group, China (20)
Unnamed group, India (12)
Dertour, Germany (37)
Michael Quinn, USA (4)
Unnamed group, Russia (30)
Unnamed group, Italy (6)
Lion dance troupe from Foshan, Guangdong, China (37)
Unnamed group, Rodrigues (10)
Unnamed group, Mauritius (37)
Lima Calbio, Trinidad
Others (10)

Local (Seychellois) groups to look out for include:
Mason’s Travel (last year’s local group winners)
JJ Spirit Foundation
Seychelles Tourism Board

Airline tickets:
Participants will have a selection of airlines flying to Seychelles to choose from. Group rates are available on most airlines flying to Seychelles. The Seychelles Tourism Board remains ready to assist with making bookings through its many Tourist Board Offices across the world.

Visa requirements:
No visas are required for Seychelles. Presentation of a valid passport, return ticket, proof of accommodation and sufficient funds for the duration of the stay will secure one-month visitor’s permit.