Lisbon - Angola's ambassador to Portugal, Maria de Jesus Ferreira, on Saturday in Lisbon, Portugal, praised the French Copyright Society (SACEM)’s World Music Grand Prize, 2023 edition, awarded to Angolan musician Barceló de Carvalho, better known as Bonga.
According to the Embassy's note that ANGOP has had access to, the prize awarded by the SACEM last Thursday, in France, expresses Bonga's high prestige, both within and outside national borders, as a result of his continuous commitment to promoting Angolan culture through music.
Bonga, who is considered to be the ambassador of Angolan music, has more than 400 compositions of his own, 32 albums and seven film soundtracks, and is also a sales record holder.
In 2014, the Angolan musician was honoured by the French Embassy in Angola with the insignia of Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters, and in 2018 the Angolan state awarded him the Medal of Bravery and Social and Civic Merit of the 1st Class, as part of the celebrations for the 43rd anniversary of national independence.
In addition to that, he has received numerous other awards of popularity and honour and his songs have been interpreted by different artists, making him an obligatory reference for African music.
EJM/VM/MRA/jmc
