Ndalatando: Angolan Minister of Culture Filipe Zau on Thursday highlighted the artistic and cultural potential of Cuanza-Norte province. Filipe Zau made this recognition when speaking to the press, after the opening act followed by the guided tour of the Art and Culture Fair in the city of Ndalatando, as part of the central event of the 8th of January, National Culture Day.

According to Angola Press News Agency, after visiting the exhibition stands, the government official expressed satisfaction with the exhibitions by artists and art creators, who in his view did ‘very good work’ on this day. He stated that the work on display shows that local culture is alive, that it is important to continue promoting and disseminating it, not only as a factor of identity, but also as a means of economic development, especially tourism, marrying culture with tourism.

In turn, the provincial governor of Cuanza-Norte, Joo Diogo Gaspar, highlighted that it is through art and culture that the local population expresses itself and that is why the province accepted the challenge of hosting the National Culture Day, to show the nation the tourist and cultural potential of the region. He stressed that the province has been monitoring the promotion of tourism across the country, which reflects the response to the President of the Republic’s call, which encourages economic diversification through tourism and culture, and Cuanza-Norte cannot be indifferent.

‘We know that this is a very important element because it capitalizes on youth, not only to stop following other paths, but also because it strengthens the Nation, because through music we can transmit what the ethical and moral values of society are,’ he stated. He reiterated the local government’s commitment to continue working to improve culture in the province’s 17 municipalities.

The Art and Cultural Fair, which showcases the province’s traditional potential, has the participation of more than 100 exhibitors from the province’s 17 municipalities. Works of basketry, pottery, sculpture in wood and clay, paintings on canvas and handicrafts are among the artefacts on display at the fair.