Africa-Press – Cape verde. The Prime Minister announced this Friday, 30th, that the Government intends to hold, in Mindelo, a “major international and regional fair” of intellectual property, in partnership with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
Ulisses Correia e Silva made the announcement while presiding over the opening ceremony of the rehabilitation works at the National Center for Crafts and Design (CNAD), a building that, according to the head of the Government, will increase the value of cultural events that already exist in São Vicente.
“We are going to bring a great international and regional fair of intellectual property, in partnership with the World Intellectual Property Organization and I have no doubt that it will be a great moment. We have to take full advantage of what intellectual property is, namely copyright and what can boost the development of creative industries here in Cape Verde,” he said.
For the prime minister, the CNAD is a great “tribute to the avant-garde and urban spirit” of the city of Mindelo, a “new lighthouse” for the arts and for Cape Verdean creators and reflects the country’s ambition to be participating “ in the great international dialogues, avant-garde, innovation, collaborative research” and in the integrated development of the creative industries sector.
“The cultural, architectural and economic value that the CNAD represents will surely increase Mindelo’s international notoriety. It contributes significantly to boosting Cape Verde and São Vicente as a cultural and innovation platform and a reference with the appreciation of the creative industries”, declared the head of the Government, to attract national and international events, he continued, which, in turn, dynamize the island’s economy.
According to the head of government, the new National Center for Handicrafts and Design is still part of a process aimed at certifying national handicrafts, formalizing the artisan’s activity and institutionalizing the status of Cape Verdean artists.
African sub-region
In turn, the Minister of Culture and Creative Industries, Abraão Vicente, said that the Government’s intention is for the CNAD to be a “beacon of creative industries” not only in the country, but also in the African sub-region.
“It is an extraordinary construction and the consolidation of our path as a people, in the field of culture, a tribute to the founders of the National Handicraft Center (CNA), to the musicians, creators, artisans and designers of the present and future”, defended the minister, for those who, despite the inauguration, work is only now beginning.
“The work of placing CNAD in all the international magazines of the sector is only now beginning, in the programming of the great cultural centers, making quality programming in Mindelo, continuing to value previous generations, teaching art and culture for the future and consolidating the programming independence of the CNAD”, predicted Abraão Vicente, ensuring that the CNAD enjoys “absolute creative and programming autonomy”.
The rehabilitation and expansion works of the CNAD started in February 2019, initially with an execution period of 12 months.
Funded by the Government, the initial project was estimated at around 58 million escudos.
However, according to Culture Minister Abraão Vicente, “the investment is currently around 100 million escudos more, just in infrastructure, and for the implementation of the CNAD project another 40 million escudos will be needed”.
With the work and new features, the old CNAD building will become the Manuel Figueira museum space, will house a café and a handicraft shop, a multipurpose patio, galleries and a research centre.
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