VI Biennial of São Tomé and Príncipe: Heritage(s)

This November 1, was inaugurated in the CACAU - CASA DAS ARTES CRIAÇÃO AMBIENTE UTOPIAS museum/art gallery, the VI Biennial of São Tomé and Príncipe (6ª Bienal de São Tomé e Príncipe).

Organized by CIAC - Centro Internacional de Arte e Cultura, with the colaboration of João Carlos Silva, and curatorship of Adelaide Ginga from the Museu Nacional de Arte Contemporânea -- Museu do Chiado, this year's biennial arrives to the public under the theme: Heritage(s).

Inspired in the former role of São Tomé and Príncipe (St. Thomas & Prince), not only as a slave commerce entrepôt, but also as a place of gathering between different people and cultures, the VI Biennial of São Tomé and Príncipe aims to become a cultural place of reference in Africa and an alternative to other biennials.

To stimulate artistic experiments through artistic residencies, sharing cultural experiencies between artists, curators, gallerists, critics, historians, and to incentivate the art lab concept, will be some of the characteristics of this biennial.

The VI Biennial of São Tomé and Príncipe will show the work of artists from Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, France, Guiné-Bissau, Mozambique, Portugal, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Timor Leste.
An international colective exhibition centred on the architectural heritage - "Inventar(iar) as Roças de São Tomé e Príncipe"; and Roça Língua a project about portuguese linguistic universe and heritage, which will happen betwwen 1 and 8 of November, are some of the several initiatives offered to the public and taking place along the archipelago.

Also included will be a documentary and film cycle about Africa and its heritage(s), by African authors, a homage to the artist Almada Negreiros, two projects of photography in public spaces about Tchiloli, workshops and educational ateliers, as well as entertainment events that value traditional performing arts.

In February 2012, through a partnership with the City Hall of Lisbon, the White and Black halls of the City Museum (Pavilhões Branco e Preto do Museu da Cidade), will host a selection of works completed during the artistic residencies, as well as the project "Inventar(iar) as Roças de São Tomé e Príncipe.
The São Jorge Cinema (Lisbon) will show the Cine Africa Cicle and in the Ordem dos Arquitectos, will take place a seminary entitled "Patriomónio(s). Portugal - África" (Patrimony(s). Portugal - Africa).

The VI Biennial of São Tomé and Príncipe: Heritage(s), can be visited through November 30, 2011.