Craftsman Simplício da Silva asks for support from entities to teach basketry and other arts to the youngest

It was at the Mindelo Internship Center, in São Vicente, where the artisans who participate in the 2024 edition of the URDI fair are located, that Inforpress spoke with this artisan.

Simplício is now 69 years old and says he cannot read or write, but wherever he goes he takes with him “the books of life”, which are teachings he learned from his parents and grandparents, which he does not want to “take to the grave”, but “pass them on to the younger ones”.

“People should learn from their elders, who are authentic books that are deteriorating. We need to go back to tradition, because we elders have the fourth class of nature, the school of life. I have more than 10 books of experience, but I want to leave someone with at least four of them”, said the artisan who has already participated in exhibitions in Portugal and the Canary Islands.

Considering that he is already finishing his “life journey”, as he has already surpassed five decades, Simplício defended that it is necessary to combine the experience of the elderly with the innovation of the younger ones.

Otherwise, he added, Cape Verde will become poorer because there are several art techniques and other knowledge that have been abandoned by the current generation.

“No government can give everyone a job. That’s why those in charge, from the city council and the government, should take advantage of this time to teach young people because through art people can create their own jobs. I just need them to pay me enough to have a coffee a day,” reiterated the same source, who is proud to have been able to pay for his children’s education just by working as a craftsman.

Inforpress/End