The Ministers of Culture from the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP) formalized a series of cultural initiatives today during their 14th meeting in Dili, Timor-Leste. Centered on the theme of safeguarding cultural heritage and promoting identity, the meeting concluded with the decision to establish the “CPLP Literary Prize: The Art of Writing in the Portuguese Language, New Voices.”
This new award specifically targets emerging writers and aims to discover and promote new literary talents while strengthening the cultural diversity of the Lusophone space.
In addition to the new prize, the ministers reaffirmed their commitment to developing a CPLP Indicative Reading Plan. This strategic project seeks to enhance access to information, encourage reading habits, and facilitate the circulation of literary works among member states.
To move the plan forward, the declaration proposes a collaborative working group involving the sectors of education and culture alongside the International Institute of the Portuguese Language. This group will be responsible for defining the specific lines of action necessary to bring the shared reading initiative to fruition.
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Preserving historical memory was another focal point of the discussions, with the ministers emphasizing the importance of critical cooperation regarding the history of slavery and the slave trade.
Furthermore, the organization pledged diplomatic support for UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage candidacies, specifically for Angola’s “Semba” dance and Mozambique’s “Xibugo” dance. The CPLP Cultural Heritage Commission was also mandated to begin an inventory of material and immaterial heritage across all member countries to create a centralized digital database.
Timorese Minister Nelyo Isaac Sarmento concluded the session by highlighting that the deliberations demonstrate a clear political will to place culture and heritage at the core of national development policies. He noted that the diversity within the CPLP provides the organization with a unique and distinct voice on the international stage.
Portugal was represented at the high-level meeting by the Secretary of State for Culture, Alberto Santos, as the organization looks to transform these policy decisions into tangible cultural exchanges across its global network.
