The national anthem of the Seychelles, “Koste Seselwa”, expresses the idea of unity among the people of the country. It talks about coming together as one nation, despite the islands being spread out in the Indian Ocean. The lyrics emphasize harmony, peace, and pride in the homeland, as well as the importance of working together to build a strong and independent nation. It reflects the identity of the Seychelles as a small but diverse island state.

It is loved in the Seychelles because it strongly represents national unity and independence. The anthem was adopted after independence from Britain in 1976, so it is closely tied to freedom and national pride. Many Seychellois feel emotionally connected to it because it highlights shared identity across different islands and cultures, and it is often performed at national celebrations and important public events.

The song to me feels like “home”. I know that sounds cliché but I have lived away from home for many years and when I was in the Seychelles, I also lived on a different island than the rest of my extended family. So whenever we’d get together and meet and this song would play, I felt at home because I was with all my family in one place!

My name is Ella Louange. I was born in the Seychelles and moved to Enschede for my study Civil Engineering at the University of Twente in 2021. I have witnessed first-hand the impacts of climate change and extreme weather overwhelming communities and infrastructure. These experiences inspired my commitment to a career in coastal management and hydraulic engineering, focused on sustainable, future-proof solutions that benefit people and the environment.