All the participants of the Kavala Fresk Feastival contribute to the protection of the ocean by reducing single use plastics. Each artist was supported by the Directorate-General for Research and Innovation of the European Commission, namely by its C4 Unit for Healthy Oceans and SeaS. The artists were also supported by the Ocean Science Centre Mindelo. This was yet another initiative by the European Union in cooperation with Cape Verde to build a healthy, clean and plastic-free Atlantic community, in alignment with the Mindelo Arrangement, a research and innovation cooperation arrangement signed in November 2018 by the European Commission and the Government of the Republic of Cabo Verde, aiming to strengthen and enhance R&I cooperation in Blue Growth.
The festival gets its name from the mackerel (“Cavala” in Portuguese), a very abundant fish in many parts of the Atlantic basin. Although it is heavily fished its population seems relatively stable and the IUCN has listed this species as Least Concern. An expressive quantity caught by Cape Verdean fishermen goes to the canning industry. A small part of the total catches end up being consumed during the Kavala Fresk Festival every year in July. The Cape Verdean fishermen are radiant with the abundance of mackerel in recent years which results from a localised decrease of the seawater temperature. Colder seawaters tend to be a consequence of upwelling, a natural phenomenon that brings nutrient-rich deep water up to the coastal regions, attracting marine wildlife.
The 7th edition of Kavala Fresk Feastival took place on July 13, 2019 in Mindelo, São Vicente, Cape Verde. Once again, it was one of the largest events on Cape Verdean gastronomy, with dozens of chefs, national entities and tourists from various foreign countries.
Besides the delicious fish dishes, the event also had various fashion shows, concerts, workshops and various sporting activities. Since its first edition, which took place in 2013, this is another party that continues to affirm São Vicente as a tourist destination in Cape Verde, promoting young entrepreneurship and showing the importance of cultural activities in the development and economic growth of Cabo Verde.
The under construction All Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance results from the implementation of the Galway and the Belém Statements, as well as the EU cooperation arrangement with Argentina and Cape Verde. Its main goal is to enhance further ocean research and innovation to address the still considerable gaps in our knowledge and understanding of the Atlantic, from the Arctic to Antarctica. The European Union, USA, Canada, Brazil, South Africa, Argentina and Cape Verde have already joined forces to support the Alliance, namely through AORA and AANChOR. Learn more about the Alliance here and discover how other Atlantic nations can be part of it. There will many opportunities to get involved so make sure you subscribe our newsletter and follow our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
