This afternoon, President Wavel Ramkalawan, along with Finance, National Planning, and Trade Minister Naadir Hassan and Secretary General of the Institute of Culture, Heritage, and the Arts, David Andre, attended the reopening ceremony of the Carnegie Building in Victoria.

Originally built in 1910 as Seychelles' first public library, the Carnegie Building featured a library on the ground floor and an exhibition hall upstairs, serving as a hub for learning, culture and social interaction. In 1964, it was transformed into the Natural History Museum, a role it held until 2019, when time took its toll, forcing its closure due to structural deterioration.

Given its historical and architectural significance, the building was a prime candidate for restoration. The renovation, which began a year ago, aimed to preserve the original architectural integrity while updating the structure to meet modern standards. The result is a blend of historical charm and modern functionality.

In his remarks, David Andre highlighted the building's storied past and expressed gratitude for the government’s dedication to preserving heritage sites. He also praised the GICC construction company for their exceptional work. "Today is a celebration, reviving a building that has been a part of our national heritage, adding another natural beauty to our beautiful town. The building will remain a symbolic heritage for all who is a guardian of our heritage," he stated.

President Ramkalawan echoed these sentiments in his address, expressing gratitude to everyone involved in the project. He urged continued efforts in preserving Seychelles’ history, saying, "We're thrilled to see the Carnegie Building restored to its former glory. This project demonstrates our commitment to preserving our cultural landmarks while adapting them for future use."

The highlight of the event was the ribbon-cutting ceremony by President Ramkalawan, Minister Hassan and Mr Andre, marking the official opening of the new infrastructure. The newly restored building now houses offices for cultural heritage on the ground floor and offices for the Ministry of Finance on the first floor.

The event was also attended by GICC CEO Glenny Savy, Secretary of State for Finance, Trade, and Investment Patrick Payet, as well as various officials from the Ministry of Finance and the Department of Heritage and Culture.