Ghanaians secretariat for creative arts practitioners soon to be established
GHANA: THE GHANAIAN Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts recently held a workshop to share the rationale of the new Creative Arts Bill, which if passed will be called the Creative Industry Scheme, with stakeholders. A grant will be made available to industry practitioners for sustainable projects and programmes, Ms Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, said the industry needs a legal and regulatory framework to back its activities, since it contributed immensely to the economy. Read more
Zanzibar film fest’s line-up announced
ZANZIBAR: THE ZANZIBAR International Film Festival is excited to announce the final film selection for this year’s event, taking place from July 9th -17th 2016. With a record 490 films submitted from 32 countries, this year’s competition promises to be the most exciting to date. The ZIFF panel have selected 80 films to compete under 5 different jury categories; 59 General Competition, 15 Sembene Ousmane; 12 Bongo movies, and 6 films in this year’s newest jury category, The Emerson of Zanzibar Award recognizing films about Zanzibar’s culture and history. Read more
Arab Satellite Service to Expand to 19 African Countries
EAST AFRICA: A BURUNDI-BASED company has sealed a deal with an Abu Dhabi-based satellite broadband service, Al Yah Satellite Communications Company PrJSC (Yahsat), which will see YahSat expand to 19 African countries with the launch of Al Yah 3 satellite. The satellite operator signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Tele10 Group, a broadcast and internet service provider in Burundi, to explore collaborations for improving internet connectivity in Rwanda, Burundi and eastern Congo-Kinshasa. Read more
A role for universities in building a creative economy
KENYA: IN A SERIES of articles being published by University World News following a workshop in Tanzania in late 2015 hosted by the Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa, CODESRIA, to conclude its Higher Education Leadership Programme, Donald Otoyo Ondieki and Emily Achieng’ Akuno discuss the role of universities in building a creative economy. The creative economy – in which higher education has a key role to play – fosters economic growth, job creation and export earnings while promoting social inclusion, cultural diversity and human development. It is a feasible policy option to diversify economies and improve trade and development gains in developing countries. Read more
William Kentridge unveils 550-metre frieze along River Tiber
ITALY: SOUTH AFRICAN Artist William Kentridge’s latest work is a phenomenal mural which pays tribute to Rome through the depiction of over 80 figures from Roman mythology to the present – a birthday to remember. April 21 marked the Natale di Roma, the anniversary of the capital’s legendary founding in 753BC. Read more
‘Dubai-Shanghai Design Dialogue’ promotes creative economy
DUBAI: DUBAI EXPORTS, the export promotion agency of the Department of Economic Development in Dubai, hosted the first 'Dubai-Shanghai Design Dialogue' in partnership with UNCTAD and the Shanghai Municipality recently. The Design Dialogue is part of an ongoing effort by Dubai Exports to enhance the global competitiveness of UAE firms. Read more