Exhibition celebrates the independence of São Tomé and Príncipe

The "Laboratório do Atlântico" exhibition celebrates the independence of São Tomé and Príncipe, transforming it into a cultural hub where youth, art, and history come together to reflect on the past and build the future, according to the curator.

“We are transforming it [São Tomé and Príncipe] into a cultural hub through the arts,” said the curator and president of Roça Mundo, João Carlos Silva, in statements to Lusa, describing the initiative as an “Atlantic Laboratory”, the name of the exhibition, being a space for cultural and artistic experiences for the future.

João Carlos Silva also highlighted the importance of São Tomé's youth, who constitute "more than 60% of the population", as the driving force for the country's development in various areas.

Historian Isabel Henriques describes the exhibition, which is in the exhibition gallery of the Union of Portuguese-Speaking Capital Cities (UCCLA), as a means of raising public awareness about the past, but also of encouraging them to reflect, as it is “an art that speaks, intervenes and says things”.

Isabel Henriques stated that the exhibition plays a fundamental role as it coincides with a historic moment for São Tomé and Príncipe, which is the 50th anniversary of its independence (July 12, 1975).

According to the researcher, the exhibition establishes a profound dialogue between the past, present, and future through various artistic languages, giving as an example the sculpture of Eduardo Malé's feet, which represents not only "slavery and slave ships," but also the reality of modern-day migrants seeking to cross the Mediterranean.

The exhibition, which includes works by local and international artists, reflects the cultural fusion that defines São Tomé and Príncipe.

When asked whether the exhibition portrays the country as an arts hub, Isabel Henriques answers affirmatively, explaining that São Tomé's history, "over many centuries, has been a space for the constant construction of new situations."

“São Tomé was a place of intersection,” which gave rise to “an identity, an imaginary that was constantly being reconstructed ,” the historian declared, emphasizing that “the imaginary is fundamental in artistic creation.”

The country's cultural development would not be possible without the support of international partners such as the Directorate-General for the Arts, Portuguese Cooperation, the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation and the Camões Institute, the curator emphasized.

João Silva revealed that Tchiloli—a form of theater, music, and dance—is in the process of being classified as a World Intangible Heritage site by the United Nations Scientific, Educational, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and that six roças (roças) are on the UN agency's list of tangible heritage sites. Regarding the gastronomic heritage of UNESCO's creative cities, Príncipe Island is expected to be classified.