What You Need to Know
An exhibition celebrating World Art Day 2026 was launched at the Nelson Mandela Centre for African Culture in Mauritius. Featuring local and international artists, the event highlights the importance of art in cultural diversity and national identity. Minister of Arts and Culture, Mahendra Gondeea, emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting the arts sector.
Africa-Press – Mauritius. In the context of World Art Day (WAD) observed annually on 15 April, an exhibition showcasing a rich diversity of artistic expressions of Mauritian and International artists was launched, yesterday at the Nelson Mandela Centre for African Culture Trust Fund in La Tour Koenig, in the presence of the Minister of Arts and Culture, Mr Mahendra Gondeea.
The High Commissioner of the Republic of South Africa to Mauritius, Dr Hlamalani Nelly Manzini; the Member of the National Assembly, Mr Ram Etwareea; the Director of the Nelson Madela Centre for African Culture, Mr Stephan Karghoo; and the President of the Artist Association Action for Artistic Creativity, Mr Nishal Purbhoo, were among the key attendees.
Organised by the NGO Action for Artistic Creativity in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela Centre for African Culture Trust Fund, the exhibition features work by artists from several countries, including Madagascar, India, Russia, Poland, Réunion Island, Seychelles, Lithuania, Malaysia, and the Union of the Comoros.
In his address, Minister Gondeea reaffirmed Government’s commitment to supporting the development of the arts sector and ensuring that creativity continues to play a central role in national development. He emphasised the importance of artists in shaping national identity and preserving cultural heritage, describing them as both creators and custodians of history and storytelling.
He also noted that in a context of global uncertainty, the arts serve as a powerful unifying force that fosters dialogue, mutual understanding, and resilience. Government, he added, remains committed to advancing initiatives that strengthen the cultural sector and enhance the status of artists in Mauritius.
The Minister further highlighted key challenges facing the visual arts sector, including the need for a dedicated national gallery to provide local artists with a professional platform to exhibit their work and engage more effectively with the public.
World Art Day 2026
The WAD is an occasion to celebrate the vital role of art in promoting cultural diversity, dialogue, and social cohesion, reinforce links between artistic creations and society, encourage greater awareness of the diversity of artistic expressions and highlight the contribution of artists to sustainable development.
World Art Day is celebrated annually on April 15, promoting the significance of art in society. It aims to foster cultural diversity and dialogue among artists globally. The event encourages awareness of artistic expressions and their role in sustainable development. In Mauritius, the arts sector has faced challenges, including the need for dedicated spaces for artists to showcase their work and engage with the public. The government has expressed its commitment to enhancing the status of artists and supporting the cultural sector.
