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By Nihal Zaroug.
Tripoli, 29 July:
An arts festival opened in Emsellata today, Sunday. Themed around creativity and innovation and officially called a Social . . .[restrict]and Cultural Forum, many artists from the area are participating in it. They will perform music, plays and readings from literary work. New musical talent will also be showcased. Panel discussions and lectures on culture, religion and history will also take place. The aim is to instill creativity and innovation through creative guidance. The event is being organised with the support of the local council. It ends on 8 August.
Emsellata, in the easten end of the Nafusa mountains, is famous for its ancient and still productive olive groves and dates back to pre-Roman times times. It is supposedly the home of the Three Graces and was called the Hill of the Graces by Heroditus. It is also home to a number of madrassas.
In recent years the idea that culture, creativity and innovation ought to be cultivated to improve personal, social and economic development has been at the forefront of European policymaking, so much so that 2009 was designated the Year of Creativity and Innovation. Many policymakers regard creativity as “the ultimate source of innovation, turning creative ideas into products or services. Creativity is always involved when innovation leads to economic results.”
If Libya plans to diversify its economy and create sustainable development, local forums such as the one is Emsellata may be significant in creating debate on how to raise entrepreneurial spirit and creating closer relations between culture, art, educational institutions and business. [/restrict]
