Africa-Press – Cape verde. The Minister of Culture and Creative Industries, Augusto Veiga, announced on Wednesday, 21st, in São Filipe, that the Government is working to classify the genuinely Foguense musical genre talaia-baxu as National Intangible Heritage.
The measure, which will be implemented by the Cultural Heritage Institute (IPC), represents a new step in the appreciation of the “extremely rich cultural legacy” of Fogo Island, according to the same source.
“In a few weeks we will have an IPC team here that is already working on the process of classifying talaia-baxu as national heritage,” revealed the Minister of Culture, who added that this is a “clear demonstration of the government’s commitment” to recognizing and protecting the island’s cultural and historical expressions.
“It is yet another contribution to further enrich the cultural aspect of Fogo Island”, highlighted the head of the Culture department, for whom the initiative is part of a broader strategy to safeguard and promote the island’s intangible heritage.
Talaia-baxu already has its national day, February 1st, institutionalized through approval in parliament, in April 2022, and was declared by the Mosteiros council in December of the same year as intangible cultural heritage of municipal interest.
This is because it is “one of the most identifying values of the spirit and soul of Fogo” and which is implicitly projected into the way of being and the most genuine experiences of the people of Fogo.
The minister also referred to the importance of the traditional flags of Fogo Island, considering them “relevant elements” of the island’s cultural memory and, according to him, although the heritage recognition process is done in stages, the classification of the flags is also under consideration and may be the subject of future studies and actions.
Regarding the challenge launched by the mayor of São Filipe, Nuías Silva, to transform the Fortim Dona Carlota Joaquina into an interpretative and museological center dedicated to emigration and the diaspora of Foguense, the head of the Culture department assured that the proposal is already under analysis.
“We spoke with the president of the IPC about the matter and it will certainly deserve our attention”, assured Augusto Veiga, who recalled that he visited Fortim, accompanied by the mayor, during his recent visit to Fogo Island to participate in the Municipality Day and São Filipe 2025 Flag celebrations.
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