Mindelact festival returns to Cape Verde
The 32nd edition of the international theatre festival runs until Saturday with daily shows on São Vicente island.
The 32nd Mindelact International Theatre Festival began today in São Vicente, Cape Verde, and will run until Saturday. The festival, organised by the association Mindelact, features daily performances at the Centro Cultural do Mindelo, with the opening show being "Amontoados," a co-production between Portugal's Teatro Griot and Mindelact.
The festival's theme, "Edição Raiz," celebrates Cape Verdean cultural roots and the 90th anniversary of the Movimento Claridade. Vice-president José Pedro Bettencourt stated in October that the event aims to reinforce the archipelago's identity while maintaining an international dimension, with participants from Portugal, Spain, Brazil, Togo, Italy, and Denmark. Organisers noted persistent challenges, including a lack of venues, which have caused discouragement and led some founders to leave.
Founded in 1995 with only island-based groups, Mindelact expanded nationally in 1996 and internationally in 1997. The organisation describes Mindelact as Cape Verde's primary theatre event and the most significant in Lusophone Africa. The programme also includes encounters, workshops, and events in Praia and Porto Novo.
Why it mattersThe Mindelact festival brings international and national theatre performances to Cape Verde, celebrating local culture.