Maria de Medeiros visits Mozambique in her capacity as UNESCO Artist for Peace
30-04-2008 10:00 am Ms Maria de Medeiros, the Portuguese actress, filmmaker, singer and UNESCO Artist for Peace, visited Mozambique from 25 to 30 April 2008, for a concert within the context of the International Music Festival of Maputo. In addition, Ms de Medeiros participated in two events to promote advocacy in arts and education. On 27 April she visited the hometown of famous painter Malangatana, himself UNESCO Artist for Peace, and joined a meeting with cultural agents and the press to discuss the theme “Arts for Education” on 28 April.
Ms de Medeiros’ visit to Matalana, about 40 km north of Maputo, was joined by Mozambican personalities as well as the Head of UNESCO’s Maputo Office, Mr Benoit Sossou.
Malangatana is building an art gallery in Matalana and has also set up a training centre to promote art education among local children and youth. “I have a lot to learn from Mr Malangatana, especially in this new role as UNESCO Artist for Peace”, Ms de Medeiros told the audience at the local church about her encounter with Malangatana.
The meeting “Arts for Education” was organized at the Franco-Mozambican Cultural Centre on 28 April with logistical support from the French Embassy. Among the participants were local cultural agents, the Director of the National Museum, the Director of the School of Visual Arts, the Director of Avenida Theatre, the actress Ms Lucrecia Paco, member of the National Cinema Institute, as well as two members of the diplomatic corps and the local and foreign press.
At the meeting, Ms Medeiros not only highlighted the role of arts in education and her personal experience as an artist, but also called for more co-operation in the cultural sector among Portuguese-speaking countries.
In addition, Ms de Medeiros participated in two events to promote advocacy in arts and education. On 27 April she visited the hometown of famous painter Malangatana, himself UNESCO Artist for Peace, and joined a meeting with cultural agents and the press to discuss the theme “Arts for Education” on 28 April.
