Coronavirus: Mauritius launches Action Plan to preserve cultural life, support artists

21 Mai 2020

Port-Louis, Mauritius, May 21 (Infosplusgabon) – Mauritian Arts and Cultural Heritage Ministry has produced a post Covid-19 Action Plan, spelling out 13 emergency measures to help preserve cultural life and support artists to sustain creativity in these difficult times.

The Government Information Service (GIS) said the Plan, valid over a six-month period, aims to mitigate the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the cultural industry.

The authorities have also agreed to the drafting of the Status of the Artists legislation and reviewing the Copyright fees as charged by Mauritius Society of Authors (MASA), it added.

According to the GIS, the Status of the Artists legislation is expected to be instrumental in establishing the professional status of artists and improve their economic, social and working conditions.

These measures include: the holding of concerts behind closed doors on a weekly basis where artists will be paid for their show; and the holding of plays behind closed doors on a monthly basis with artists being supported financially for the production of CDs and DVDs.

A series of television programme entitled “Mauritius, our Culture, our Talent” will be designed to promote Mauritian art and culture, as well as its history on a monthly basis. The Ministry will collaborate with professional dance schools and other choreographers to develop virtual lessons. A mobile app will be developed for this project.

The GIS indicated that the plan also includes the publication of a coronavirus anthology in e-book format. A call for texts will be launched to publish a compilation of short stories or poems on the experience of the lockdown in relation to Covid-19.

About 40 sites will be identified and a list finalised over the coming days to allow artists create the wall frescoes. Virtual exhibitions of painting and photography and heritage sites virtual tour, is also being planned at the Arts and Cultural Heritage Ministry.

FIN/ INFOSPLUSGABON/KJH/GABON2020

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