Seychellois Dancers Shine in Moscow, Signaling New Cultural Partnership with Russia!
Fresh from securing back-to-back Master First Prize titles at the World Artistic Dance Grand Prix in Moscow, professional dancers Ruth Barbe and Denis Rose met with President Dr Patrick Herminie at State House today, highlighting Seychelles’ rising excellence in dance and opening new avenues for international cultural cooperation.
The two accomplished dancers, who are also instructors, brought international acclaim to Seychelles after winning the prestigious Master First Prize, for two consecutive years at the competition organised by the World Artistic Dance Federation in Russia.
During the meeting, they shared reflections on their achievement and underscored the growing strength of Seychelles’ dance sector. They also highlighted their ongoing work at the School of Dance, where they train over 200 students across Mahé, Praslin and La Digue, reflecting increasing national interest in both classical and contemporary dance.
The discussion also addressed key challenges facing the sector, particularly the need for improved dance infrastructure to support training and development. While Seychelles continues to produce high-calibre dancers, the instructors noted a gap in continuity for students pursuing dance professionally. They proposed targeted interventions, including scholarship opportunities, to help retain emerging talent and strengthen the next generation of instructors.
The broader role of dance and performing arts in education was also emphasised. Both parties agreed that dance is a highly effective learning tool that instils discipline, coordination and creativity in children. In this context, the importance of integrating performing arts more systematically into the national school curriculum, and reinvigorating performing arts at the Seychelles Institute of Arts and Design was highlighted.
Beyond the national context, the dancers’ participation in Moscow also advanced Seychelles’ cultural diplomacy efforts. Engagements held alongside the competition are expected to culminate in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Seychelles and Russia, aimed at strengthening cultural exchange. Proposed areas of cooperation include dance training exchanges, 3D mapping initiatives at Venn’s Town, support for book preservation at the National Library, and collaboration in film production.
President Herminie welcomed the dancers’ achievements and commended their contribution to youth development and cultural advancement, noting that their success reflects the growing potential of Seychelles’ creative industries.
The meeting concluded with a forward-looking discussion on the continued development of dance in Seychelles. The School of Dance was recognised as being on the right trajectory, successfully blending cultural and modern forms and gaining strong appeal among young people. The potential of dance as a sport was also highlighted, with a proposal to consider the establishment of a Dance Sport Federation to further structure, professionalise and expand opportunities within the discipline.
This reflects a broader national commitment to nurturing talent, strengthening creative pathways, and positioning Seychelles as a centre for cultural excellence.
