René Tavares, one of the most prominent contemporary artists from São Tomé and Príncipe, serves as curator of the country’s participation at Expo 2025 Osaka, focusing on a celebration of Tchiloli — a traditional theatrical performance currently nominated for inclusion in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list. The exhibition offers visitors a unique insight into this emblematic cultural form, which blends music, dance, and storytelling, revealing the symbolic and aesthetic depth of São Toméan culture.
On 29 September, Tavares presented his own work at the São Tomé and Príncipe Pavilion, while also curating the exhibition dedicated to Tchiloli. His curatorial approach creates a bridge between tradition and contemporaneity, offering a nuanced narrative that highlights how ancestral practices continue to inspire modern artistic creation.
Through this exhibition, Expo visitors are invited to discover the richness of São Tomé and Príncipe’s artistic and cultural production, recognising in Tchiloli not only a performative art but also a symbol of identity, memory, and cultural resilience. René Tavares’s dual role as artist and curator underscores the maturity of the country’s art scene and its commitment to the preservation and reinvention of intangible heritage that defines the São Toméan spirit.
