The Ministry of Culture and Tourism rewarded ten professionals in the arts and culture, and projects in the sector, at the 1st edition of the Cultural and Creative Industries Award – PREICC 2023.
In an atmosphere full of emotion and celebration, the long-awaited event proved to be a genuine showcase of the best of the essence of Mozambique's arts and culture. The evening was attended by renowned arts professionals, businesspeople from various sectors, political figures and other prominent personalities. The ceremony began with a touching tribute to artists of different generations who, sadly, have passed away over the years, but whose indelible legacy in the world of the arts will remain forever. Their unquestionable talent united people and crossed social barriers. The stage was lit up with vibrant colours and a glamorous atmosphere, where cultural figures were rewarded between fascinating performances by artists from various genres. Calene e Lúcio, Pai Leão, Assa Matusse, Radhja Ali, Marllen, the National Song and Dance Company and the duo Di Manhiça and Helena Rosa shone on stage, captivating the guests and viewers with the poem, set to music here, "Cidadão do Futuro", by the celebrated writer José Craveirinha.
The winners of the gala night were as follows: Paulina Chiziane, the Career Award; Banda Marrove, the Newcomer Award; Nivaldo Thierry, the Fashion Award; Mélio João Tinga, awarded in the Design category; Editora Fundza, the Literature Award; Manuel Fernandes Bata, the Visual Arts Award; Jimmy Dludlu, the Music Award; Mahla Filmes, the Audiovisual and Film Award; Dans'Arts, the Dance Award, and Calene e Lúcio, the Theatre Award. The jury, made up of seven personalities - Rufus Maculuve, Eduardo Lichuge, Paulo Chibanga, Calisto Santos, Nuno Cardoso, Pompílio Gemuce under the chairmanship of Professor Nataniel Ngomane - carefully selected the winners. All the laureates were presented with a trophy and a cheque for 120,000 meticais.
On the occasion, the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Eldevina Materula, highlighted the importance of recognising personalities in the cultural, artistic and creative fields, reinforcing the Government's role in shaping role models who contribute to building peace, citizenship and national unity. For his part, the Prime Minister, Adriano Maleiane, also present at the ceremony, pointed to the need to see this initiative as a challenge, with a view to making it a regular and periodic fixture. To that end, he said it is essential that everyone be involved and take part in sustaining it: Government, civil society and the private sector must ensure its effective consolidation. Such a measure will make it possible to build a stimulated, robust cultural and creative sector, ever more solid, competitive and participatory in the country's socio-cultural and economic development process. Maleiane encouraged the winners to keep refining their performance and to serve as a source of inspiration for those working in the arts, for the benefit of the Cultural and Creative Industries sector in the country.
The first edition of PREICC 2023 was organised by the National Institute of Cultural and Creative Industries (INICC), with the support of SASOL, the official sponsor, and Banco Absa, the honorary sponsor, and several partners contributed to making the event happen. The success of this first edition paves the way for the next, already announced for 2025, promising once again to celebrate and elevate Mozambique's arts and culture by honouring the talent and dedication of the professionals of this captivating sector.
