Official photographs and video footage documenting Seychelles' Golden Jubilee commemorative artefacts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) were today received by State House from the Embassy of the Russian Federation.

The material was presented to President Dr Patrick Herminie by the newly accredited Ambassador Designate of the Russian Federation, Mr Kirill Gennadievich Sokolov Shcherbachev, during this morning's ceremony of presentation of credentials. The commemorative video captures a striking image of the Seychelles flag in outer space, marking a unique chapter in the nation's 50th Independence Anniversary celebrations.

Among the items sent into orbit were Seychelles' National Flag, the Coat of Arms, and President Herminie's Independence Day commemorative message. While aboard the ISS, the President's message was formally read aboard the International Space Station by members of the mission, who also delivered their own congratulatory message conveying the Russian Federation's warm wishes to the people of Seychelles on the occasion of the nation's Golden Jubilee.

The commemorative documents and national artefacts were officially authenticated by Russian cosmonauts using the station's official postal and mission seals, certifying that they had genuinely travelled in space.

Upon their return to Earth, the space-flown artefacts, bearing official International Space Station markings, will be formally presented to Seychelles and preserved by the National History Museum for future generations as part of the nation's heritage collection.

The initiative forms part of the celebrations marking both the 50th Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Seychelles and 50 years of diplomatic relations between Seychelles and the Russian Federation, further commemorating a partnership that spans five decades.

President Herminie welcomed the gesture as a meaningful tribute to Seychelles' Golden Jubilee and to the enduring friendship between Seychelles and the Russian Federation. The returning artefacts will become part of the National History Museum's collection, preserving this unique chapter of the nation's history for future generations.