Mauritius: The exhibition of the regional Vintage Photography Competition was launched yesterday evening, in the presence of the Vice-Prime Minister, Minister of Local Government and Disaster Risk Management, Dr Mohammad Anwar Husnoo, and the Minister of Arts and Cultural Heritage, Avinash Teeluck, at the Caudan Arts Centre in Port-Louis.
Member of Parliament, Mohamad Salim Abbas Mamode, the Lord Mayor of Port Louis, Mamode Issop Nujuraully, the Lord Mayor of Quatre Bornes, Dooshiant Ramluckhun, and other personalities were also present.
The winners of the competition were announced on the occasion and they were rewarded with prizes.
In his address, Minister Teeluck underlined that the main objective is to encourage the participation of all Mauritians in the celebrations of the independence of Mauritius and to valorise our cultural heritage. He indicated that vintage pictures reveal a lot about the rich history and depict the evolution of the country over time.
He stated that Such projects will enable the youth and the new generations to familiarise with the traditions and ways of living in old times and to understand the essence of Mauritius’s legacy.
“It is important to remind the youth that the rich cultural heritage has been fostered due to the collective efforts, hard work and sacrifice of all our ancestors”, stated the Minister. The exhibition, he added, displays remarkable memories as well as transmits the great value of the vintage time.
Minister Teeluck commended the efforts of all photographers in the promotion of arts and culture and lauded the contribution of institutions such as Local Authorities, the Government Information Service, the National Arts Gallery, and the Mauritius Film Development Corporation, among others.
The event was organised by the Ministry of Arts and Cultural Heritage and the Ministry of Local Government and Disaster Risk Management in the context of the 55th Anniversary of the Independence of Mauritius and the 31st Anniversary of the Republic of Mauritius. The second phase of the project comprising a competition and exhibition will kick start at the national level from 18 August 2023 to 25 August 2023.