Authorities stress collaboration and innovation in heritage conservation efforts

In the context of the International Day for Monuments and Sites 2026, an official ceremony was held yesterday afternoon at the Serge Constantin Theatre in Vacoas, bringing together stakeholders to reflect on the safeguarding and promotion of cultural heritage amid evolving global and local challenges. The event was organised by the National Heritage Fund (NHF) under the aegis of the Ministry of Arts and Culture.

Discussions were guided by this year’s theme, “Emergency Response for Living Heritage in Contexts of Conflicts and Disasters.”

The ceremony was attended by the Minister of Arts and Culture, Mr Mahendra Gondeea; the Junior Minister, Mrs Marie Veronique Leu-Govind; the Chairman of the NHF, Mr Ricardo Lalande; and NHF Director, Dr (Ms) Minakshi Thannoo, along with other distinguished guests.

As part of the programme, a prize-giving ceremony was organised to reward the winners of a competition entitled “A short video clip on how to use AI tools to address the challenges of living heritage in the context of conflicts and disasters.” The initiative sought to promote creativity and raise awareness among students on the role of technology and Artificial Intelligence in safeguarding living heritage.

The Mahatma Gandhi Institute secured first prize, receiving a cash award of Rs 30,000 along with a trophy. The first runner-up, Professor Hassan Raffa State Secondary School, was awarded Rs 20,000 and a trophy, while the second runner-up, Belle Rose State Secondary School, received Rs 10,000 and a trophy. Certificates of participation were also presented to all ten participating secondary schools.

In his keynote address, Minister Gondeea pointed out that Mauritius currently counts 209 sites under the NHF, along with two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, in addition to over 200 potential sites awaiting recognition and protection. He emphasised that, despite the country’s rich cultural and historical assets, many sites have suffered from long-term neglect and continue to require substantial financial, technical and human resources for their upkeep.

The Minister also pointed to ongoing restoration works at sites such as the Dutch Tower in Vieux Grand Port and Le Morne Brabant, aimed at restoring and preserving their historical and cultural significance.

According to him, the current model of free access to most heritage sites in Mauritius may need to be reviewed in light of sustainability challenges. He suggested the possibility of introducing paid entry, particularly for tourists, with revenues reinvested into heritage conservation and development. Mr Gondeea recalled that similar recommendations had already been made during the National Convention on Arts and Culture.

The Minister likewise highlighted the Heritage Stewardship Scheme as a strategic initiative aimed at strengthening site management through partnerships while preserving public access. According to him, the scheme is intended to enhance the vitality of heritage sites by promoting cultural activities and responsible tourism.

Junior Minister Leu-Govind, for her part, emphasised that monuments and heritage embody collective memory, identity and values that must be safeguarded for future generations. She noted that heritage sites are increasingly under threat from climate change, erosion and vandalism, highlighting the need for coordinated and sustained protection efforts.

Mr Ricardo Lalande indicated that strengthened collaboration among stakeholders and heritage institutions is being encouraged to improve the protection, promotion and public engagement of national heritage sites.

As for Dr Thannoo, she highlighted that climate change and environmental pressures are increasingly threatening heritage assets, calling for urgent mitigation strategies.

18 April 2026

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Topics: Culture