One ofthefundamentalprinciplesenshrined in the Constitution ofthe Republic is that oftheState’sduty to promote the development of Mozambique’s culture and character. This work, advocated by our Basic Law, entailstheidentification, recording, preservation and promotion of the material assets and spiritual wealth that make up the cultural heritage ofMozambique. The memory of thepeople is embodied in our culturalheritage;byprotecting it, we ensurethat notonly the historical, culturaland artisticlegacy of our ancestors, but also contemporary advances, achievements and values will endureand willbepassed on to future generations. The cultural outputoftheMozambican peopleisrich and vast, butitisalso vulnerable to a numberofrisks.