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| Eco Musician |
Peace Boat held a reggae party to celebrate its arrival
in Madagascar. The music jamboree is the culmination of a number of
African music evenings and jam sessions initiated and inspired by
Achille Luc, guest speaker, self-styled eco-musician and reggae fan
from the Seychelles. This energetic artist and environmentalist is
onboard Peace Boat for the fourth time.
In addition to his presentation on Seychelles' history, culture and
way of life, Achille ahs focussed on organising do-it-yourself music
gatherings for anybody who is interested in music, no matter whether
they have ever played music or not. Achille usually asks people to
bring along an instrument, and the participants have responded by
bringing instruments ranging from a koto to obscure percussion instruments,
even wine bottles. Once everyone has found a common beat the jam goes
on until Achille decides it's time to swap instruments. Then a new
beat is found and another jam kicks off. Basically, it's great fun
for everyone and a chance to pick up some musical skills on some unusual
instruments along the way.
Achille Luc, also known as Aka, back home in the Seychelles, is working
very hard to promote African music. He is Chairperson of the Organisation
of African Unity (OAU), a local, non-profit, self-sustaining NGO.
OAU was established as a response to the Fet Afrik, African Music
Festival, that starts on the 25th of May every year and goes on for
seven days. It features music, dance and social gatherings for young
people and helps the people of the Seychelles appreciate and enjoy
music whose roots lie in Africa and thus learn more about their own
origins. OAU has since taken on the organisation of the festival.
Apart from this event, OAU also holds various exhibitions and workshops
in schools. The main objective and aim of this NGO, according to Achille,
is to promote Africa and African unity in a positive way by organising
musical and cultural exchange programs.
Achille, known as an 'eco-musician' in his community, is very ecologically
aware and is an environmental leader in his district. This means that
he is actively involved in promoting environmental education for young
children by visiting different schools and offering workshops on environmental
issues as well as study trips, such as 'Beach Safaris', where children
go to the beach, identify and learn about everything they find there.
As a representative of his district, Achille is also working in co-operation
with various other district leaders as well as Wildlife Club of Seychelles,
in order to organise activities to support global environmental days
such as Earth day and Ocean day.
While on Peace Boat, his work and enthusiasm has been an inspiration
for everyone.
Hopefully, he will be back for a fifth time! |
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| Mombasa-Cape Town
/ Peace Boat's 36th Voyage |
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PEACE BOAT is an NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. |
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