Cairo: The Angolan Minister of Culture, Filipe Zau, engaged in discussions with his Egyptian counterpart, Ahmed Fouad Henno, to deepen bilateral cooperation in the cultural sector, with a special emphasis on staff training and arts exchange.
According to Angola Press News Agency, the ministers explored practical steps to establish this partnership, including the creation of focal points to draft a memorandum that will identify priority areas for cooperation and facilitate the signing of agreements.
The diplomatic channels and appointed technicians from both countries will spearhead the exchange of information. The ministers plan to mutually support participation in projects that promote cultural and artistic exchanges, with a focus on contemporary arts, to celebrate African heritage and culture.
Minister Zau, who arrived in Cairo last Friday to represent Angolan President Joo Louren§o at the Grand Egyptian Museum's inauguration, also discussed safeguarding tangible and intangible heritage and promoting joint cultural events to strengthen ties between the nations. The meeting, attended by Angolan Ambassador to Egypt Maquento Sebastio Lopes and cultural technicians from both countries, addressed cultural management, traditional arts exchange, music, heritage preservation, and the promotion of African identity.
In congratulating Egypt on the "stunning" inauguration of the Grand Egyptian Museum, Minister Zau praised Egypt's role in protecting and promoting African cultural heritage. On the same day, he met with UNESCO's Director-General, Egyptian Khaled El-Anany, to discuss national heritage classification and seek support for recovering collections removed illegally from African countries.
Additionally, Minister Zau had an audience with Ahmed El-Assar, CEO of Arab Contractors, to discuss the construction of the Museum of Resistance. El-Assar committed to updating the Angolan Executive on the necessary procedures to facilitate the project's agreement and execution.
