On a working visit to Benin, the French Secretary of State to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, in charge of development, the Francophonie and international partnerships Chrysoula Zacharopoulou met this Thursday, March 30, 2023, students and officials of the School of African Heritage (EPA) which benefits from a partnership with France.
Museum and heritage cooperation is one of the priorities of the Franco-Beninese partnership. It is within this framework that the School of African Heritage benefits from support from France. At the head of a delegation and in the presence of the Minister of Culture Jean-Michel Abimbola and his colleague in charge of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Aurelien Agbénonci, the Secretary of State Chrysoula Zacharopoulou exchanged with teachers and students from the School of African Heritage in Porto-Novo. Heritage cooperation, professional training, France’s support for the EPA, the return of 26 royal treasures from Abomey were at the heart of the discussions. The founder of the EPA, Alain Godonou emphasized the success of the exhibition of works at the Palais de la Marina.
In 2022, France assigned an international technical expert (ETI) to the School of African Heritage (EPA) in order to reaffirm the regional positioning of the establishment, to revise the training curricula. The objective is to position “the establishment in the best international standards, and to promote, within the framework of established partnerships, the emergence of an innovative cultural entrepreneurship that creates value and jobs”. According to the French Secretary of State, France will continue in the same dynamic for a successful heritage cooperation.
Benin also receives support from France within the framework of the national program for the construction and restoration of museums. The French Development Agency is providing 35 million euros for the construction of the Museum of the Epic of the Kings and Amazons of Danhomè and the renovation of the first four palaces of the classified site of Abomey. In addition, there are exchange and international training programs for the benefit of Benin curators; expertise and support-advice missions, etc. The Beninese government has associated France with the project to create the Cultural and Creative Quarter (QCC) which will house the new French Institute in Benin.
Akpédjé Ayosso
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March 31, 2023 by
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