Seychellois historian Julien Durup introduces his new book

Seychelles’ Tourism and Culture Minister congratulated Seychellois historian Julien Durup on his new book.

Mr. Durup has launched a new book entitled “The Seychelles Islands and its first landowners 1786-1833.”

The book was officially launched recently at the National Cultural Centre in the presence of the islands’ Minister for Tourism and Culture, Alain St.Ange; Principal Secretary for Culture Benjamine Rose; and other guests.

Mr. Durup said it took him around two to three years to complete the book, which he said came about as he noticed there were inadequate history books in the country.

This, he said, results in the country’s young generation not knowing much about the history of Seychelles.

Mr. Durup added that he hopes this book will become useful in the teaching and learning process, and that professionals can also use it as a reference.

The author referred to a new book as the birth of a child, as be it good or bad, it will help to bring changes to humanity. He has thanked other past historians who have in one way or another inspired him, namely Kantilal Jivan Shah, Guy Morel, and Antoine Abel.

He also expressed words of thanks to Marc Hoareau of the Victoria Computer Services (VCS) and Minister Alain St.Ange for their support.

Speaking at the launch, Minister St.Ange said the book is a valuable project which depicts where Seychelles was today as a nation.

He added that Mr. Durup through his new book has documented history which will stay on for the island’s future generation. The Minister congratulated Mr. Julien Durup for dedicating time and effort to continue to document the history of the Seychelles.

The latest book by Julien Durup is divided into eights chapters and talks about subjects such as the early visitors to Seychelles; settlement to the islands; Seychelles’ first constitution which was based on nature conservation; the country’s laws, its currencies, economic and commercial activities; land owners and properties; and the Creole language and its vocabulary.

Mr. Durup presented copies of the book to Minister Alain St.Ange, Mr. Marc Hoareau, and also handed over three copies of the book to Miss Benjamine Rose, who will then hand them over to the National Library.

The new book is on sale at the Antigone bookshop in Victoria as well as at the Seychelles International Airport.

Seychelles is a founding member of the International Coalition of Tourism Partners (ICTP) . For more information on Seychelles Minister of Tourism and Culture Alain St.Ange, click here.