Luanda,  – The Angolan minister of Culture, Rosa Cruz e Silva, considered Friday in Luanda the National Culture and Arts Award as a mechanism of encouragement to creation and innovation.

Speaking at the ceremony of announcement of the winners of the 2009 edition of the National Culture and Arts Award, the official stressed that such distinction is a recognition of Angolan Government of the efforts that national creators have in re-editing of the national historic  memory.

“Is a way of showing artists that the Government is aware of everything they do on daily basis for the culture. I think that the award has its value based on its symbolism”, stressed.

The winners of the 2009 edition are singers Carlos Burity, writer João Melo, researcher  Carlos Serrano, dance group “Akixi & Cianda, scenic arts “Miragens Theatre“ and a Group of Benguela Painters.

For the Cinema and Audio Visual, the judge did not award any prize on grounds of poor  work quality.