EVENTS YEAR 2019 / 2020
1. 'Bravo Moris'
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Date : 29 July 2019 Brief on event: A concert entitled 'Bravo Moris' was organized by this Ministry at Champ de Mars following the outstanding performance of Mauritian athletes in the Jeux des Iles de l'Ocean Indien. 60 artists participated in the event. No. of Artists involved: 60
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2. Annual Pilgrimage to the vault of Father Laval: 07 -08 September 2019 and visit of Pope Francis on 09 September 2020 Date: 07-08 September 2019 Brief on event
Every 8th September, Mauritians of all faiths walk or drive to Sainte-Croix near Port Louis to visit the tomb of the Blessed Jacques Désiré Laval – the 'Apostle of the Black People'. On 9 September 2019, the 155th anniversary of the death of Blessed Father Laval, “Apostle of Mauritius", was commemorated by the presence of Pope Francis in the vault. Exceptionally the night of pilgrimage was held during the night of 7th to 8th September 2019 to enable all arrangements for security purpose in view of the visit of the Pope the next day. The Ministry of Arts and Cultural Heritage has always been an active partner as facilitator in this annual event and its main responsibility has been to look into the infrastructural and ancillary requirements such as provision of marquees, podium, sound system and LED Screens.
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Visit of Pope Francis on 09 September 2020
3.
Workshop 'Les enjeux et défis de la représentation de l'esclavage dans les musées': 13 – 15 September 2019
Date: 13-15 September 2019
Brief on event
From 13th to 15th September 2019, the Ministry of Arts and Cultural Heritage in collaboration with the University of Mauritius, through the Centre for Research and Indenture (CRSI) organised a Workshop entitled 'Les enjeux et défis de la représentation de l'esclavage dans les musées'. The objective of this workshop was to assess the global impact of the slave trade and the legacies of slavery in the 21st century on health, education, political, economic and religious status; to exchange the experiences and best practices on interpreting and representing slavery from different regions of the world; to explore the roles of the arts and humanities and the new possibilities offered by ICTs/ digital multimedia technology to interpret and represent the memory and history related to the slave trade, slavery and their legacies. Foreign specialists, as listed below acted as resource persons in the workshop:
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(i) Ms Nelly R. Schmidt - | Research Director, French National Centre for |
| Scientific Research Paris IV |
(ii) Dr Rosabelle Boswell - | Dean, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan |
| University of South Africa |
(iii) Ms Shanaaz Galant | Curator, Iziko Museums, |
| Bo-Kaap Museum and the Slave Lodge |
(iv) Dr Mary Elliott | Curator, Smithsonian Institution, |
| National Museum of African American |
| History and Culture |
(v) Dr. Chaplain Toto | Historian & Research Director, |
| Centre for Ethnology and Literature Studies, |
| University of Toamasina Madagascar |
(vi) Mr Munish Pandit | Director, Sanrakshan Co, New Delhi |
This workshop also saw the intervention of specialists in different fields from Mauritius namely:
(i) Assoc Professor Vijaya Teelock - University of Mauritius
(ii) Dr. Jimmy Harmon - Independent researcher, CRSI
(iii) Stephan Karghoo - Ag Director, NMCAC
iv) Prof John Stanfield II - SSR Chair of African Studies, University of Mauritius
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4.
Launching of the Pamplemouses Slave Heritage Trail and conferment of label of “Site of Memory associated with Slave Route for the Memoralisation of Slavery by UNESCO
Date: 14 September 2019
Brief on event
The Pamplemousses Slave Heritage Trail was launched on Saturday 14th September 2019. This was possible after UNESCO has conferred the label 'Site of memory associated with the Slave Route' to six sites, namely the Bassin des Esclaves (Fountain used by slaves), Site for Sale of slaves, St François d'Assise Church, Slave Cemetery, Powder Mills Archaeological Site and the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden. The trail which covers almost the whole life of the enslaved people in Mauritius, offers a unique opportunity to know about their conditions of enslavement and to raise awareness on crucial aspects on the slavery system in the island. These sites have been already identified in the Inventory of sites of memory supported by the UNESCO Slave Route Project in 2008.
A plaque was unveiled on that occasion and this Official Ceremony saw the participation of 10 artists who performed to the tune of the Sega Tipik, intangible Cultural Heritage listed on the UNESCO Representative list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
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No. of Artists involved: 10
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5. Capacity Building Workshop in collaboration with UNESCO and the Swedish International Development Corporation Agency (SIDA II) for the first Quadrennial Periodic Reporting (QPR) of the UNESCO 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions
Date: 08 – 10 October 2019 In line with Article 9 of the UNESCO 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, Mauritius as state party having ratified the said convention, has to submit it Periodic Report every 4 years.
With the view to support Mauritius in its endeavor to prepare the report, UNESCO Regional
Office for Eastern Africa supported by Swedish International Development Corporation Agewncy (SIDA II) helped in the organization of a workshop which was held from 08-10 October 2019 at the Intercontinental Resort, Balaclava. The workshop was led by Dr V. Copic. International Expert to UNESCO and Dr H. Ramduth, National Expert to UNESCO. It saw the participation of 42 professionals/ representatives of Ministries/Departments/ Civil Societies whose contributions was thereafter required to put up the report.
The objectives of this workshop were to assess the global impact of the slave trade and the legacies of slavery in the 21st century on health, education, political, economic and religious status; to exchange the experiences and best practices on interpreting and representing slavery from different regions of the world; to explore the roles of the arts and humanities and the new possibilities offered by ICTs/ digital multimedia technology to interpret and represent the memory and history related to the slave trade, slavery and their legacies.
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6.
Festival Kreol Seychelles
As has been the practice for years, as signatory to the Cultural Exchange Program with the Republic of Seychelles, arrangements were made by the Ministry for a group of Mauritian artists to proceed to Seychelles to participate in the Annual Festival Kreol, which was scheduled from 01 to 31 October 2019.
The Komiko group comprising 7 artists proceeded to Seychelles from 20 to 26 October 2019 to participate in different shows scheduled in Mahé and Praslin.
However, the show programmed for Komiko on Wednesday 23 October 2019 had to be cancelled as there was no audience, except for the officers and members of the Organising Committee.
7. Festival International Kreol 2019 -
Gran Sware Sega Tipik
Date: 06 December 2019
No. of Artist involved: 150
Brief on the event
Mauritius is a signatory to the 2003 Convention for the safeguard of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. UNESCO has established its list of Intangible Cultural heritage with the aim of ensuring better protection of important intangible cultural heritage worldwide and awareness of their significance.
As has been the practice in the past years the Ministry of Arts and Cultural Heritage in collaboration with the Le Morne Heritage Trust Fund, the Nelson Mandela Centre for African Culture and the National Heritage Fund organized the “Gran Sware Sega Tipik" at the Public Beach of Le Morne Village.
Besides focusing on “Sega Tipik" listed in 2014 as Traditional Mauritian Sega on the Representative list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, this event enables the participation of the performers of other Cultural Expressions listed on the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage:
- Sega Tambour of Rodrigues Island listed in 2017 on the UNESCO Representative list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
- Sega Tambour Chagos listed in 2019 on the UNESCO Representative list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
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8.
Commemoration of the 185th Anniversary of the Abolition of Slavery
Brief on event
Slavery has been one of the greatest tragedy in the history of humankind. Celebrating its abolition is acknowledging and marking the freedom found by thousands of enslaved people who faced the dehumanization by the name change, corporal punishment, submission to the demands of the masters and other humiliations. The recognition of the humanity of men, women and children, considered until the Abolition of Slavery in 1835 in Mauritius, as "objects", as well as the freedom of each and every one, deserve to be celebrated.
With its inscription on the World Heritage List on 10 July 2008, the Le Morne Cultural Landscape has become the focal place in Mauritius where the Abolition of Slavery is commemorated every year on 01 February at Le Morne. It represents a powerful symbol of resistance to slavery.
Early this year, to mark the Commemoration of the 185th Anniversary of the Abolition of Slavery, the following activities were organised:
- A symbolic wreath laying ceremony on Friday 31 January 2020 at the 'Monument aux Esclaves', Pointe Canon, Mahebourg, followed by a Sware Maronaz Kiltirel, comprising a Salon Kiliner - Cuisine d'antan, exhibition of art works and a concert showcasing our intangible cultural heritage.
- A symbolic wreath laying ceremony on Saturday 01 February 2020 at the International Slave Route Monument, Le Morne
- The inauguration of the replica of ancient village of Trou Chenille on Saturday 01 February 2020
(iii)An Official Ceremony on Saturday 01 February 2020 at Le Morne Village (Opposite Le Morne Government School).
Mr Abdoulaye Diop, Minister of Culture and Communication of the Republic of Senegal, was the Chief Guest on the occasion and participated in all the events held on Saturday 01 February at Le Morne.
Sware Maronaz Kiltirel at Pointe Canon, Mahebourg
Date: 31 January 2020
A symbolic wreath laying ceremony was held on Friday 31 January 2020 at the 'Monument aux
Esclaves', Pointe Canon, Mahebourg, followed by a Sware Maronaz Kiltirel, comprising a Salon Kiliner - Cuisine d'antan, exhibition of art works and a concert showcasing our intangible cultural heritage.
No. of Artists involved: 117
Wreath Laying Ceremony at the International Slave Route Monument, Le Morne Public Beach
Date: 01 February 2020
No. of Artists involved: 5
Inauguration of the “Replica of Ancient Village of Trou Chenille
Date: 01 February 2020/ No. of Artists involved: 10
Official Ceremony at Le Morne Village
(Opposite Le Morne Government School)
Date: 01 February 2020
Number of Artists involved: 68
CULTURAL ITEM
The main cultural item for the official ceremony was performed by the artists of the SR Dance Co Ltd and was centered around the theme “Esklavaz, Maronaz Kiltirel, Kreolization".
National Day Celebrations 2020 Popular Cultural Show (event cancelled)
9. Spektak Tizan (rescheduled from the Festival International Kreol 2019) – 20/21 March 2020 (event cancelled). However, payment has been effected accordingly.
No of Artists involved: 50
10. National Eid Celebrations 2020
Eid-ul-Fitr is the first day of the Islamic month of Shawwal. Eid is a national event in Mauritius and every year, the Ministry of Arts and Cultural Heritage organizes a series of activities in this context. Activities are usually organized in collaboration with the Islamic Cultural Centre and the Urdu Speaking Union.
No events organised due to COVID-19 Pandemic
The main challenges and achievements have been the organization of the QPR workshop and the Salon Maronaz Kiltirel.