Koste Seselwa

Koste Seselwa
English: Join together all Seychellois
	National anthem of Seychelles
Lyrics	David François Marc André and George Charles Robert Payet, 1996
Music	David François Marc André and George Charles Robert Payet, 1996
Adopted	1996
Preceded by	"Fyer Seselwa"
Audio sample
	Koste Seselwa (Instrumental) file; help;

"Koste Seselwa" ("Join together all Seychellois") is the national anthem of the Seychelles.

Background

The anthem was created through a competition, after the adoption of the Constitution of the Republic of Seychelles, dated 21 June 1993. The constitution stated there was to be a national flag, a national anthem, a national emblem and a national motto. The constitution did not mention any anthems, since the anthem is prescribed by an Act.^[1]

The anthem was created by David André and Georges Payet, as an entry for the competition. According to Payet, the anthem was written in a single day.^[2]

During the creation of the anthem, they were approached, along with a third individual, Antoine Azemia, by the organising committee, who suggested they work together and come up with something new, as their initial submission each contained something they were looking for. Azemia decided to back out, the duo settled in an old house at La Plaine St. André, where they worked in harmony, pasting bits and pieces, before coming up with the final result.^[2]

The arrangement for the anthem was made by Russian orchestra expert and band conductor Anatoli Savatinov.^[2]

"Koste Seselwa" was recorded for the first time by the French Republican Guard Band in Paris, where André had the chance to attend and witness the event.^[2]

The anthem was adopted as the national anthem of Seychelles on the National Day, at 18 June 1996.^[2]

Lyrics

Seychellois Creole original^[2]	IPA transcription^[3]^[a]	English translation^[2]	French translation^[2]
Sesel ou menm nou sel patri. Kot nou viv dan larmoni. Lazwa, lanmour ek lape. Nou remersye Bondye. Preserv labote nou pei. Larises nou losean. En leritaz byen presye. Pour boner nou zanfan. Reste touzour dan linite. Fer monte nou paviyon. Ansanm pou tou leternite. Koste Seselwa!	[se.sel u mɛ̃m nu sɛl pa.tɣi] [kɔt nu viv dã la:.mɔ.ni] [la.zwa lã.mu: ek la.pɛ] [nu ɣe.mɛ:.sje bɔ̃.dje] [pɣe.zɛ:v la.bo.te nu pɛ.i] [la.ɣi.sɛs nu lɔ.se.ã] [ɛ̃ le.ɣi.taz bjɛ̃ pɣe.sje] [pu: bɔ.nɛ: nu zã.fã] [ɣɛs.te tu.zu: dã li.ni.te] [fɛ: mɔ̃.te nu pa.vi.jɔ̃] [ã.sãm pu tu le.tɛ:.ni.te] [kɔs.te se.sel.wa]	Seychelles, our only motherland Where we live in harmony Happiness, love and peace We give thanks to God. Preserve the beauty of our country The riches of our oceans A precious heritage For the happiness of our children. Live forever in unity Raise our flag Together for all eternity Join together all Seychellois.	Seychelles, notre seule patrie Où nous vivons en harmonie La joie, l'amour et la paix Nous remercions le Bon Dieu! Préservons la beauté de notre pays La richesse de notre océan Un héritage très précieux Pour le bonheur de nos enfants Restons toujours unis Élevons notre drapeau Ensemble pour l'éternité Unissons-nous Seychellois!

Notes

^ See Help:IPA.

References

^ "Koste Seselwa". savoy.sc. Savoy Seychelles Resort & Spa. August 31, 2017. Archived from the original on September 13, 2018. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h "'It still feels like a new song whenever we hear the national anthem'". www.nation.sc. Seychelles Nation. June 16, 2018. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
^ "APiCS Online - Survey chapter: Seychelles Creole". apics-online.info. Retrieved 2022-03-05.