O Presidente da República de Cabo Verde

José Maria Neves

There are places where the world comes together even before it fully recognizes itself. The Atlantic is one of them.
It was through its crossings—at times painful, yet so often creative—that new languages, cultures, and ways of being in the world were born. It was in this vast ocean that Creolity was forged: not as a mere accident of history, but as a profound act of resistance, invention, and shared humanity.
It is from this sea of memories, encounters, and possible futures that Cabo Verde calls upon the world.
We call upon Africa, the Americas, the Caribbean, and Europe to come together once more in the Atlantic — this immense space of movement and connection that unites us.
Creolity is not merely a legacy of the past; it is a living presence. It is irrefutable proof that, even in adversity, our peoples have known how to transform forced encounters into shared culture, diversity into common wealth, and resistance into a possible future.
As we celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of our Independence, we reaffirm Cabo Verde as a natural place of convergence, open dialogue, and collective endeavor. We are an archipelago that, through its history and vocation, has made the sea not a boundary, but a bridge.
The International Meeting of Creolity will thus be a space for knowledge, creation, and commitment. A place where academics, artists, thinkers, young people, and our valued diaspora come together to reflect on the world we have inherited and, above all, on the world we aspire to build together.
Inspired by the turtle — a powerful symbol of resilience, journey, and connection between continents — we affirm Creolity as a true proposal for humanity: a vision of the future grounded in respect, inclusion, cooperation, and the dignity of peoples.
We invite all to participate. We invite you to share your stories, contribute your knowledge, and express, through words, images, or sound, what Creolity represents in your life.
“Kriolidade pa mi é…” — an open expression, an invitation to voice, memory, and creativity.
Because the Atlantic does not divide us. The Atlantic unites us.
It is by building bridges that we will shape a better future.
Building bridges, shaping a better future.