Africa-Press – Mauritius. The European Film Festival remains an important event in celebrating and strengthening the bonds that exist between Mauritius and the European Union (EU).
In fact, both Mauritius and the EU share excellent ties that are based on friendship, common values and cooperation as well as constructive economic and commercial relations that have intensified over the years.
This statement was made by the President of the Republic of Mauritius, Mr Prithvirajsing Roopun, yesterday, at the closing ceremony of the fourth edition of the European Film Festival in Mauritius, at MCine cinema in Caudan, Port-Louis.
The Vice-President of the Republic of Mauritius, Mr Cyril Eddy Boissézon; the EU Ambassador to Mauritius, Mr Vincent Degert; and other personalities were present at the ceremony during which the film FREDA was screened.
A discussion session on the theme “The place of women in Haitian society” was also held after the screening with the participation of Ms Barbara Stephenson, Artist and Project Manager, Development of Cultural and Creative Industries at the Indian Ocean Commission.
In his address, President Roopun highlighted the role of culture as being an integral component of the foreign policy of the EU. The EU, he rejoiced, is engaged not only in promoting the diverse cultures of its 27 Member States amongst the Mauritian population but is equally providing support to local stakeholders in the culture sector through the ACP Cultures’ programme.
Speaking about the European Film Festival, he indicated that it provides an opportunity to exchange ideas during a cultural event, and recalled that the first edition was launched in 2019 in the context of the celebrations of the Golden Jubilee of Mauritius’s Independence Day.
The fourth edition of the European Film Festival of Mauritius, held from 10 to 21 October 2022, was organised by the EU Delegation and comprised activities which focused on cinema and culture.
This year, the festival offered to the Mauritian public five recent feature films and 15 short films from 11 Member States, three image education workshops for young people and discussion sessions following the screening of two of the feature films.
The 2022 theme, ‘Partir, Ailleurs’, evokes not only an invitation to travel, but also points to the other side of the coin with a brutal reminder of the reality of so many migrants forced to flee their country, people in search of hope.
The festival therefore aims at promoting a space for reflection, discovery and exchange of ideas on the world and its evolution and also to put forth the incredible cinematographic diversity of the European cultural heritage.
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