Mozambican artist Sebastião Coana received the Gold Medal of the Divine Academy of Arts, Letters and Culture, a French institution that promotes and recognizes cultural and scientific work at an international level.

"And I'm happy and hope that other young creators feel and have the courage to pursue art as a serious job for life and know that they are not alone in this world."

"This award is the result of social work through the arts in Mozambique, produced and carried out with various young national creators and in the Mozambique Art Movement, of which I am a co-founder," he said on his official Facebook page shortly after his award.

"Our intense work in Mozambique has become a reference for the world. Thank you all for your daily support, this medal belongs to all of us," he added.

The artist was also integrated as a member of the Divine Academy of Arts, Letters and Culture, and is currently the youngest artist in the group.