Lubango - A 28-minute documentary on the life and work of the "King" of Angolan music, Elias Dya Kimuezo, was screened on Friday at the Mediateca in Lubango, Huila province, to highlight the musician's historical and cultural career.
Entitled "Elias Dya Kimuezo - Viagens", the documentary was produced five years ago by Francisco Pedro, a cultural journalist of the Novembro-EP editions, and its screening is part of the celebrations of the National Day of Culture and the 89th birthday of the artist, which will be celebrated on January 2.
Speaking to the press on the sidelines of the event, he stressed that "the tribute to the icon of Angolan popular music comes at a good time, as he is an inescapable figure that spans generations and continues to inspire with a voice that remains relevant and modern".
He emphasized that Dya Kimuezo continues to be a cultural and musical reference in Angola, whose recordings are characterized by authenticity and innovation that remain alive and relevant.
Francisco Pedro also highlighted Elias' interaction with the Cape Verdean community in the Sambizanga neighborhood, which influenced his interpretation of traditional Cape Verdean songs, and his performance as an athlete, stories that are less known but enrich the artist's narrative.
He pointed out that the tribute is part of a trilogy of commentaries being developed to expand the approach in two other documentaries about the singer-songwriter, to be released later this year in Huila and Luanda.
With a repertoire of 50 catalogued songs, Elias Dya Kimuezo is described as a pillar of Angolan culture, whose work goes beyond music and has a significant impact in the political sphere and in the construction of the national cultural identity.
About the biography of the singer Elias Dya Kimuezo
Elias José Francisco, artistically known as Elias Dia Kimuezo, was born on January 2, 1932 in the Marçal district of Luanda.
Orphaned at the age of seven, he lived with his paternal grandparents in Sambizanga, where he learned to communicate fluently in his native language, Kimbundo.
In 1969, during a folklore festival in the Portuguese provinces, he was invited to represent Angola with Mestre Geraldo's Rebita group and the Duke of Bragança's Marimbeiros from Malanje.
His artistic performance was highly praised by local critics and cultural analysts, so he was offered the chance to record two "maxi-singles" for the Valentim de Carvalho label.
These included the songs "Mualunga", "Ressurreição" and "Muenho Ua Mutu", sung in Portuguese and Kimbundo, with special guest appearances by Bonga, Rui Mingas, Teta Lando and the Marimbeiros do Duque de Bragança.
The singer's success began to grow, and as a result he was awarded the title of Best Angolan Songwriter by the National Tourism Training Center.
In 1972, he received a statuette as one of the 11 most outstanding personalities in various professional and social categories in the city of Luanda.
Dya Kimuezo is considered the king of Angolan popular music for the quality of his work and the consistency of his performances. JT/MS/AMP
