Africa-Press – Mauritius. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designated the City of Port-Louis as Creative City on 8 November 2021 in recognition of its commitment to place culture and creativity at the heart of its development and to share knowledge and good practices.
The Minister of Arts & Cultural Heritage, Mr Avinash Teeluck, made this announcement, yesterday, at the Municipal City Council of Port-Louis, in presence of the Minister of Social Security & National Solidarity & Acting Minister of Local Government & Disaster Risk Management, Mrs Fazila Jeewa Daureeawoo.
Port Louis is one of the first two cities in Eastern Africa to join the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN). Being among the 49 newly named creative cities, Port Louis joins the Music category.
The UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) was launched in 2004 to promote cooperation with and among cities for having recognised creativity as a major factor in their sustainable urban development.
The designation exercise is held biennially and as at 30 June 2021, 246 cities from different regions of the world with different geo-demographic, economic, social, cultural and economic settings, made up this network.
The network numbers 295 cities reaching 90 countries that invest in culture and creativity, crafts and folk art, design, film, gastronomy, literature, media arts, and music to advance sustainable urban development.
Minister Teeluck stated that the inclusion of Port-Louis in the UCCN will promote the branding of Port Louis as a centre of culture and enhance the visibility of Mauritius on the international front. It will also boost cultural tourism and investors in creative business.
Speaking on the Strategic Cultural Plan for Music, he indicated that several activities will be implemented within the next four years adding that provision of Rs 10 million has been made for the implementation of activities in the first year of the Port Louis Arts District project.
He also dwelt on the administrative traits and characteristics of Port Louis ranging from the city rich treasures with more than 92 National Heritage Sites and 40 sites of heritage significance to modern infrastructures such as the Caudan Arts Centre.
It is recalled that Mauritius has now seven elements inscribed on UNESCO’S List of Intangible Cultural Heritage including Aapravasi Ghat, Le Morne, Geet Gawai, Sega Tipik, Sega tambour Chagos and Sega tambour Rodrigues.
For More News And Analysis About Mauritius Follow Africa-Press
