Serbia and Angola have inked a Cultural Cooperation Programme set to span from 2024 to 2026, as announced by the Serbian Government.
The agreement was signed by the Culture Ministers of the two nations, Maja Gojković of Serbia and Filipe Silvina De Pino Zau of Angola, who both highlighted the longstanding and friendly relations between their countries, dating back to the Non-Aligned Movement era. They emphasized their readiness to work together to enhance bilateral ties, particularly in the cultural domain.
Angola’s Minister of Culture and Tourism expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome and noted that the newly signed Cooperation Programme is a testament and significant step towards further collaboration and bringing the two peoples closer.
Zau stressed the role of culture in fostering a better understanding between the nations and underscored the importance of concrete collaboration efforts in the coming period, including exhibition exchanges and cooperation in the fields of audio-visual works, national film festivals, cultural heritage preservation, and archaeology.
Highlighting Angola’s upcoming celebration of half a century of independence, Zau referenced the friendship between the two countries and his visit to a street and monument in Belgrade dedicated to Agostinho Neto, Angola’s first president, a poet, doctor, and renowned humanitarian.
The Angolan Culture and Tourism Minister remarked on the importance of the agreement, stating that culture brings peoples closer together, which is often followed by cooperation in other areas.
Gojković reminisced that Serbia was among the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with Angola and supported its anti-colonial struggle and liberation movement. She mentioned that the shared values of freedom and independence continue to link the two nations and thanked Angola for its support in international organizations.
The Serbian Deputy Prime Minister deemed the signed document a boost to bilateral relations and an avenue for cultural cooperation across various domains, with the film industry being a priority, given both countries’ keen interest in developing the audio-visual sector.
Gojković expressed a desire to enhance cooperation with Angola in animated film, stage, and music activities and highlighted the importance of exchanging experiences in cultural heritage protection. In this context, she reminded that both countries are signatories to UNESCO’s declaration against the illicit trade of cultural heritage and added that Serbia and Angola aim to sign an agreement in this area as well.
Photo: kultura.gov.rs