Ishmael Bayoh, Information Attachè, Sierra Leone Embassy Dakar, Senegal
The Director of Cabinet of the Secretary of State for Culture in the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture of Senegal, Mr. Khalilou Sow has revealed three projects on which Senegal and Sierra Leone could collaborate.
Mr. Sow and delegation on Friday, December 6, 2024, visited the Sierra Leone Embassy in Dakar to view works of 12 talented Sierra Leonean artists displayed at the Embassy as part of the 14th edition of the Dakar Art Biennale.
Revealing areas of collaboration, he said the Bunce Island in Sierra Leone connected to that of the Gorèe Island in Senegal of which both drew their history from colonialism and slavery. Also, he said they are working on a project to link The Gambia, Liberia and Sierra Leone for an International Mask Festival and a film against Gender based violence.
These three projects, he said, cut across these countries with share values and a way of promoting cultural diplomacy. The Director used the opportunity to invite the Ambassador to visit the Art and culture training school to see how it could be beneficial to the artists of Sierra Leone and vice versa.
This is the first time the Embassy opened its doors to Biennale visitors and the first time it collaborated with a group of art lovers to exhibit the work of Sierra Leonean artists.
Receiving the Director of Cabinet and his delegation, the Ambassador of Sierra Leone to Senegal, His Excellency Mr. Ibrahim Turay explained the longstanding bilateral relationship between the two countries and how they could further collaborate in several areas like culture and tourism.
Ambassador Turay explained to him the efforts of the 12 talented Sierra Leoneans and how it was the first exhibition that Sierra Leone participated in. “The Hon. Vice President of Sierra Leone Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh was here and visited the main exhibition center at the old courthouse and also two officials from the Ministry of Tourism and Culture were also here and got inspired from the Biennale and spoke about how both countries could collaborate in several areas in the promotion of arts and culture,” H.E Turay said.
Senegal and Sierra Leone have recently signed a Cooperation Agreement on several areas.
Mr. Khalilou Sow expressed the desire for collaboration in the areas of creativity, innovation and culture. He praised the artists for their talented work and the Embassy for hosting the vernissage.