Lusaka minister acknowledge importance of arts

——Lusaka Province Minister Freedom Sikazwe has underscored the importance of development of arts saying it contributes to job creation, self-sustainability and economic growth.

Mr Sikazwe said one of the major objectives of the Patriotic Front government is to see to it that the arts and cultural are developed to greater levels.

The Provincial Minister said this in Lusaka last evening during the National Visual Arts Exhibition held to commemorate African Freedom Day and 50^th Anniversary of the African Union.

Mr Sikazwe said government is fully aware of the many challenges that artists in the country are going through.

He has since assured artists in the country that the PF government is not sitting idle but is putting in place efforts to ensure that it supports institutions that are aimed at improving arts in the country.

Mr Sikazwe said government has already demonstrated political will through the establishment of the Ministry of Tourism and Arts and the number of cultural villages that are being rehabilitated and constructed as some of the measures that will promote arts in the country.

He said in order to attain high levels of the growth of arts and development in the country, the sector requires not only support from government but also from private institutions.

And Visual Arts Council Chairperson Mulenga Chafilwa said arts are a factor that plays a prominent role in any sphere of human existence and development.

Mr Chafilwa said when properly harnessed and put to good use, the arts have the potential to transform societies and the nation at large.

This year’s African Freedom Day is celebrated under the theme “building on 50 years of African solidarity and striving for peace, development and prosperity for all”.