Biennale of Luanda
What is the Biennale of Luanda?
The Biennale of Luanda – “Pan-African Forum for the Culture of Peace” is an international event organized by the UNESCO, the African Union and the Government of Angola, that aims to promote the prevention of violence and the resolution of conflicts, by encouraging cultural exchanges in Africa and dialogue between generations. It is held every two years in Luanda, the capital city of Angola.
As a space for reflection and dissemination of artistic works, ideas and best practices related to the culture of peace, it brings together representatives of governments, civil society, the artistic and scientific community, and international organizations. It participates in the implementation of the "Plan of Action for a Culture of Peace in Africa/Make Peace Happen" adopted in March 2013 in Luanda, Angola, during the Pan-African Forum "Sources and Resources for a Culture of Peace."
Global Objectives
The aim of the Biennale of Luanda for the Culture of Peace in Africa is to work towards a daily and sustainable individual and collective appropriation and implementation, on the continent, of the concept of a culture of peace.
This initiative reinforces the implementation of Goals 16 and 17 of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 7 Aspirations of the African Union's Agenda 2063, in particular its "Silencing the Guns by 2033" initiative. The Biennale also contributes to the implementation of UNESCO's "Operational Strategy for Priority Africa (2014-2021)", aimed at providing African responses to the transformations affecting the continent's economies and societies.
Background
The first edition of the Biennale of Luanda, "Pan-African Forum for the Culture of Peace" was held from 18 to 22 September 2019 in Luanda, which was a celebration of various African values, beliefs, forms of spirituality, knowledge and traditions that contribute to the respect of human rights, cultural diversity, the rejection of violence and the development of democratic societies.
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The Biennale of Luanda 2021
The second edition of the Biennale of Luanda took place from 27 November to 2 December 2021 and was celebrated under the African Union's 2021 theme, "Arts, Culture and Heritage: Levers for Building the Africa We Want", mixing digital and presential events.
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The 2021 edition was organised around four axes:
Biennale 2021 Highlights
Projects
ResiliArt Angola was launched by the American Schools of Angola (ASA) in April 2021, under the umbrella of the Biennale of Luanda and as part of UNESCO ResiliArt global movement. Soon after its inception, the focus of ResiliArt Angola shifted from discussing how to support artists and creativity beyond the crisis COVID-19 to finding concrete avenues to provide young artists with opportunities to enhance their skills and to obtain an income.
The idea of mixing young Angolan and international artists and creating residencies led by well-known artists, as pointed out by Marcos Agostinho, Executive Director of ASA, is the result of a simple observation: African and specifically local artists in Angola now need more support than ever.
