Inauguration of the National Week for Culture and Arts at the Level of the Southern Nouakchott Region.

The Minister of Culture, Arts and Communication and Relations with Parliament, the government spokesperson, Mr. El-Houssein Ould Medou, inaugurated this Wednesday evening in southern Nouakchott, the activities of the National Week of Culture and Arts at the state level.

The National Week of Culture and Arts aims to enhance the local cultural scene and provide citizens with the opportunity to discover the richness and diversity of heritage and arts. In a speech on the occasion,the Minister of Culture, Arts, Communication, and Relations with Parliament stated that this national event has come to place culture at the center of attention, to serve as a leverage for development and a space for harmony and convergence. He emphasized that this event has traveled to all the capitals of the nation’s states, lighting up their nights with seminars and lectures and delighting them with poetic evenings, artistic shows, and theatrical performances, embodying the directives of His Excellency the President of the Republic to spend vacations domestically and to ensure their cultural enrichment.

He added that this week was not just a series of events, but a living embodiment of the vision of His Excellency the President of the Republic, Mr. Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, who views culture as a solid tool for preserving identity, a fundamental pillar in the development process, and a wide field for enhancing social cohesion and national unity. He pointed out that the government of  the Prime Minister, Mr. Mokhtar Ould Djay, has been keen to translate this vision through clear public policies and comprehensive quality programs that have targeted various fields of creativity and knowledge. The Minister reviewed the programs and plans that the ministry has implemented or intends to carry out, including the Nouakchott Book Fair and the launch of the President’s Prize for the Arts.

The Minister of Culture indicated that the National Week coincided with the organization of dozens of special festivals across the country, affirming that this enriches the cultural scene and opens up horizons for creators. In turn, the Mayor of Arafat, Mr. Mohamed Mahmoud Ahmed Jiddou, appreciated the organization of the cultural and artistic event that was hosted by the state as part of the activities for the National Week of Culture and Arts, considering it a distinguished model of youth interaction with cultural life. The mayor confirmed that this activity falls within the ongoing efforts made by the government to care for youth, support creativity, and give culture its rightful place in the ambitious community project.

During the ceremony, the Minister of Culture and his accompanying delegation inspected the traditional exhibits presented during the event, which represent various cultures of the Mauritanian community. This cultural event will feature a variety of activities, including cultural and artistic events, heritage performances, competitions, and exhibitions. The ceremony was attended by the Governor of southern Nouakchott, Mr. Thiam Zakaria, the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Culture, Arts, Communication, and Relations with Parliament, Mr. Sid Mouhammad Jidou Khatri, the mayors of the municipalities, and several officials and staff from the Ministry of Culture.