Senegalese Culture Minister Identifies Areas Of Collaboration

Information Attachè,

Sierra Leone Embassy, Senegal

The Director of Cabinet of the Secretary of State for Culture in the Ministry of Youths, Sports and Culture of Senegal, Mr. Khalilou Sow, has revealed three projects on which Senegal and Sierra Leone could collaborate.

Mr. Sow and delegation on Friday December 6th 2024, visited the Sierra Leone Embassy in Dakar to view the works of 12 talented Sierra Leonean artists displayed at the Embassy, as part of the 14th edition of the Dakar Art Biennale.

Revealing areas of collaboration, he said the Bunce Island in Sierra Leone connected to that of the Gorèe Island in Senegal, share history from colonialism and slavery, adding that they were working on a project to link The Gambia, Liberia and Sierra Leone for an International Mask Festival and a film against Gender based violence.

These three projects, he continued, cuts across these countries, with share values and a way of promoting cultural diplomacy. The Director used the opportunity to invite the Ambassador to visit the Art and culture training school, and how that can be beneficial to the artists of Sierra Leone and vice versa.

This is the first time the Embassy opened its doors to Biennale visitors, and also the first time it collaborated with a group of art lovers to exhibit the work of Sierra Leonean artists.

Receiving the Director of Cabinet and his delegation the Ambassador of Sierra Leone to Senegal, His Excellency Mr. Ibrahim Turay, explained the longstanding bilateral relationship between the two countries and how they could further collaborate in several areas like culture and tourism.

Ambassador Turay explained the efforts of the 12 talented Sierra Leoneans and how it was the first exhibition that Sierra Leone has participated in. “The Hon. Vice President of Sierra Leone, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, was here and visited the main exhibition center at the old court house, and also two officials from the Ministry of Tourism and Culture were here and got inspired from the Biennale, and how both countries could collaborate in several areas in the promotion of arts and culture” H.E Turay said.

Senegal and Sierra Leone have recently signed a joint Cooperation Agreement on several areas, and in working towards that, Mr. Khalilou Sow expressed the desire for collaboration in the areas of creativity, innovation and culture. He praised the artists for their talented work, and the Embassy for hosting the vernissage.