São Toméans take part in the 1st “Créer en Afrique centrale” meeting
newspaper STP Digital · 27/10/2021
Two projects from São Tomé and Príncipe took part in the first meeting of the “Créer en Afrique centrale” consortium, held from 26 to 28 October 2021 in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo. The initiatives “Ser Principense: art, culture and heritage, past, present and future” and “São Tomé Film Lab” were selected to receive funding from the ACP–EU Culture programme.
The “Ser Principense” project seeks to deepen and value the identity of Príncipe Island and its communities through knowledge and preservation of cultural and natural heritage. The initiative promotes inclusion, social cohesion and dialogue between different generations, addressing tangible and intangible heritage, as well as the island’s cultural and artistic expressions.
The initiative is carried out by the Biosphere Reserve of Príncipe Island, in partnership with the Regional Directorate for Tourism, Trade, Industry and Culture, the African Foundation and NOVA University Lisbon. The representation at the meeting was carried out by Maria José Prazeres, representative of the Biosphere Reserve and Director of the Environment of Príncipe, and Ivo Pizzaro, director of the African Foundation in São Tomé and Príncipe.
The work aims to study the past and present of Príncipe’s heritage and contribute to its future preservation. International promotion of this heritage through new technologies is also planned, involving artists, cultural agents and younger generations.
The second project selected, “São Tomé Film Lab”, seeks to improve the creation and production of audiovisual works made by São Toméan filmmakers, increasing the number and quality of these productions. The initiative is promoted by Tela Digital Media Group, in partnership with ASSECOM-CA and ON TIME Entertainment.
The “Créer en Afrique centrale” programme aims to support the development of cultural and creative industries in Central African countries. The call for projects covered Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, São Tomé and Príncipe and Chad.
The programme is co-funded by ACP–EU Culture, an initiative of the European Union and the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States. Its implementation involves Interarts, Culture et Développement, the Economic Community of Central African States and the Institut National des Arts, with other African cultural partners also taking part.