Handicrafts production gains visibility in Angola

Luanda, Luanda – The production of handicrafts in Angola has been gaining more and more visibility, with the revitalisation by the Culture Ministry, in 2010, of two fairs for the exhibition of objects produced by craftspersons, namely in the city of Dondo, northern Kwanza Norte Province, and in Luanda.  The two mentioned fairs, which happen once a year, have been mobilising the country for the appreciation of this Angolan art.   During these events, thousands of people flock the venue to behold the beauty of various locally produced handicrafts, such as sculptures, paintings, baskets, sofas, hats, among others.These fairs, which normally last three days, are also attended by foreign exhibitors and visitors, resident and non-resident in Angola. This year, the second edition of the Dondo Handicrafts Fair had the participation of over 30 exhibitors from five provinces of Angola, besides a considerable number of books exhibitors, gastronomists and agriculturists who also showed their products. The second edition of the Luanda National Handicrafts Fair had the exhibition of sixteen craftspersons representing all the provinces of the country, with the exception of two.  Professionals of this art are of the opinion that the Culture Ministry has to be more engaged in spreading the handicrafts fairs to several parts of the country and with some regularity, since it is a way of perpetuating and transmitting to the new generations the information and history of Angolan arts and crafts, besides other cultural manifestations.