It was an incredible experience where we see our culture being valued and portrayed.
In this unique exhibition, which has always been held in São Vicente, we see a little bit of everything. From the simplest to the most complex. It’s the first time it’s been held here on Sal Island.
Looking around, we see everything from music and instruments, to weaving – we see our traditional earthen cloth, which has been declared a cultural and material heritage – to tapestry and diverse handicrafts, and we also find some services from various companies.
For example, we found the BCN and IGQPI stands.
We received some information regarding BCN’s loan services.
The IGQPI is the Institute for Quality Management and Intellectual Property, headquartered in Praia, but it tends to expand throughout the islands of Cape Verde, particularly the main islands like São Vicente, Sal, and Boa Vista, so that all Cape Verdeans have access to this service. In general, this institute controls the quality of services provided by companies, verifying the quality of instruments used such as scales, breathalyzers, and others. It also allows artists to register their products in their own names.
There is an exhibition of works by prisoners from Sal Island where their creations are sold at the fair to raise money.
The diversity of our culture is portrayed through music on stage, jewelry, weaving, and handicrafts such as fabrics, paintings, shoes, crocheted clothing, baskets, traditional games, and more.
The most interesting thing I found was the CNAD… its headquarters are on São Vicente Island, opposite Praça Nova. The building is entirely covered with drum lids or the traditional “Bidon” containers in various colors. I discovered that each The lid depicts emigration (with each emigrant bringing goods in containers called “Bidon”). Each lid color represents a musical note, a song that was once released but never brought to Sal Island because it hadn’t been adopted.
There was a diverse population there, including tourists who appreciated our culture.
In short, it’s good to feel Cape Verde on Sal Island and in our hearts!
