A cultural group from Goa in India will be arriving in the country Saturday October 25 to participate in this year's 18th edition of Festival Kreol.

The eight-member troupe, named Groupo Alegria, which is also expected to tour the entire region, will participate in several cultural performances, including the Laserenad and Letensel Kreol spectacle for the opening of the festival at Stad Popiler on Saturday evening.

They will also take part in the Selebo and Sware Sega at the Music Stadium on the same evening, the Sware Kreative at ICCS on Monday, the Kanmtole competition on Thursday at the ICCS and the Lakadans musical show at the Music Stadium next Friday.

On November 1, Groupo Alegria, along with members from local dance groups, will stage a special cultural evening at the National Theatre at Mont Fleuri. The show will be hosted by the Indian Cultural Association and Sanskriti in collaboration with the National Arts Council. 

Speaking about India's participation in the Festival Kreol, the Indian High Commissioner, His Excellency Mr Malay Mishra, said it was in the context of the recently renewed Indo-Seychelles cultural exchange programme between the two countries. 

Formed in 1970, the Groupo Alegria is one of the most popular folklore groups in Goa with a high international profile, having performed in several countries like Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Russia.

The group's performances, especially their choreography, reflect a combination of Indian folklore and Portguese influences. Among the dances they perform are dheki (temple) dance which is a blend of Indian melody and western rhythm, marcha de fontainhas, a typical Portuguese rhapsody, cotti fugdi (coconut shell dance or harvest dance) and a Portuguese fisher folk dance.

Groupo Alegria will leave Seychelles on November 2 for Mauritius, where it will participate in another cultural manifestation there.

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