Mindelact 2024: 32nd Theater Festival Opens in Cape Verde
The curtains rise today in São Vicente as the Mindelo International Theater Festival (Mindelact) launches its 32nd edition. Despite ongoing logistical hurdles and funding shortages, the festival remains a cultural powerhouse, bringing a week of world-class performances to Cape Verde.
A Celebration of Cape Verdean Roots
Running through Saturday, this year’s program is themed “Root Edition” (Edição Raiz). The theme pays homage to Cape Verdean cultural heritage and commemorates the 90th anniversary of the Claridade Movement, a literary and social revolution that serves as the cornerstone of the archipelago’s identity.
Opening night features “Amontoados,” a high-profile co-production between Portugal’s Teatro Griot and the Mindelact Association. Directed by Zia Soares, the production highlights local talent by featuring performers from the festival’s own theater initiation program. The show begins at 9:00 PM at the Mindelo Cultural Center, the festival’s primary venue.
Global Dialogue Through Local Identity
While the festival is deeply rooted in local history, its reach is decidedly global. This year’s lineup includes artists from Portugal, Spain, Brazil, Togo, Italy, and Denmark.
“The best way to dialogue with the world is to know where we are speaking from,” said Mindelact Vice President José Pedro Bettencourt during the pre-festival press conference, emphasizing the importance of a strong national identity in the international arts scene.
The Struggle Behind the Stage
Despite its status as the premier theatrical event in Lusophone Africa, Mindelact continues to face significant challenges. Organizers expressed frustration over recurring obstacles, including a chronic lack of performance venues and the exhausting annual hunt for institutional support.
“It is frustrating because every time we hold the festival, which is no longer a novelty, we are chasing after institutions and resources,” noted treasurer Zenaida Alfama. These persistent difficulties have reportedly led to “some discouragement” within the organization, even resulting in the departure of several of the festival’s founders.
A Legacy of Resilience
Mindelact has come a long way since its humble beginnings in 1995, when it featured only local groups from São Vicente and Santo Antão. It expanded to national representation in 1996 and opened its doors to the world in 1997.
Beyond the main stage in Mindelo, the festival will offer a wide-reaching program of workshops and meetings, with extensions reaching audiences in the capital city of Praia on Santiago Island and Porto Novo on Santo Antão.
Image: Pexels – damien Saillet
