Luanda – The 3rd edition of the Luanda Biennale - Pan-African Forum for the Culture of Peace, which brought together several emblematic figures of African politics, constituted one of the highlights of the country's political-cultural panorama in 2023.
The Biennale, held every two years, is an international event that seeks to promote the prevention of violence and the resolution of conflicts, encouraging cultural exchange in Africa and dialogue between generations.
This is a joint initiative by UNESCO, the African Union and the Government of Angola, which promotes the implementation of the Action Plan for a Culture of Peace in Africa, approved in March 2013, in Luanda, Angola.
The event is a space for reflection and dissemination of ideas and good practices related to the culture of peace, which brings together representatives from governments, civil society, the artistic and scientific community, as well as international organizations.
This year, the cultural component of the Biennale included, among other activities, an exhibition by the artist Fineza Teta and performances by musicians Namanhonga, Gelson Castro, Afrikkanitha, Selda, Robertinho, Dom Caetano and Ângela Ferrão.
In another area, the last 12 months were also marked by the elevation, in Kasane, Botswana, of the Sona “drawings and geometric figures in the sand”, an ancient art of the Lunda Cokwe people, to Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The act, promoted by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), took place two years after they were declared National Intangible Cultural Heritage, under the terms of Executive Decree 99/21, of 20 April.
In fact, the Angolan Executive, through the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, in partnership with the Lueji A’Nkonde University, sent the Sona’s candidacy to UNESCO, for global recognition, which was confirmed.
With this step, Angola once again inscribed its name among the world's intangible wealth, after having managed to elevate the city of Mbanza Kongo, capital of the province of Zaire, to the category of World Heritage Site.
The Sona are the first Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity inscribed by Angola at UNESCO and the second in Mathematics. The first belongs to China.
Throughout the year, the first stone was also laid for the construction of the Artist's House and the Palace of Music and Theatre, in the former premises of the National Assembly, in Luanda, which is undergoing fundamental transformations.
The project, budgeted at USD 85 million, could be completed by 2025.
It is a space with an area of 24 thousand m2, with five main units, one of which is related to the Artist's House, where it is expected to accommodate approximately 80 artists with advanced age and at the end of their careers.
It also has an administrative and support area, a theatre room, exhibitions, events, a unit for artistic training and a technical area.
According to the project, the main theatre room, considered the centerpiece of the Artist's House and the Palace of Music and Theatre, will have a capacity for 600 people.
Another milestone, in the cultural segment, was the announcement of the usual National Award for Culture and Arts, which distinguished this year, in the music category, Mestre Kituxe.
In the field of literature, the award went to the poet and prose writer João Tala, while Ana Suzana David 'Kiana' took the prize in the category of visual and plastic arts.
The Palace Dance Company group won in the dance discipline, Carlos Conceição in the cinema and audiovisual discipline, while the authors of the collection 'Several Languages a Nation, Let's Build the Future', won in the humanities and social sciences.
In the theatre, the prize went to the group Amostra Nacional, from the province of Uíge.
As for the music, it echoed the “Top dos Mais Queridos” award, which had as its big winner the singer Supe Muteca, from the province of Namibe, with the song 'Mãe África'.
The second place went to the musician Andrade Félix, from the province of Moxico, while the third place went to the duo Tiagão and Grande Nico, from the province of Huambo.
This year's edition paid tribute to musician Sam Mangwana.
In relation to Carnival, the biggest cultural festival in the country, the parade in Luanda this year saw the participation of 13 groups in class A, 15 in class B and 16 in children's.
“União Recreativo do Kilamba” won in class A, Grupo “União Operário Kabocomeu” in class B and Grupo “Viveiros do Njinga Mbande” in the children's class.
In the field of theater, the highlight was the 8th edition of the International Theater Circuit, marked by the delivery of the professional card to this year's honoree, the actor and director Adelino Caracol.
Lasting four months, the festival distinguished actors and agents of the artistic and cultural movement, who received diplomas of merit from the Government of Luanda.
Still in relation to the performing arts, the election of the new president of the steering committee of the Angolan Theater Association (AAT), Tony Frampênio, was highlighted, who promised to work closely with his associates.
Its action plan includes, among other tasks, the holding of a National Theater Meeting, to structure an inclusive vision and propose to the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Environment the creation of the National Theater Company.
The new direction also intends to strengthen partnerships with provincial governments, to develop a cultural tourist-artistic itinerary across the country, within the scope of National Culture Day and World Theater Day.
However, another aspect that marked the cultural year was the resurgence of “Sebem” on the record market, after 10 years of absence, due to health reasons.
Despite not being 100 percent recovered from his illness, the artist recently presented in Luanda his new album entitled “Onde estás?”, which is being considered by “kudurists” as an example of resilience and motivation.
Throughout the year about to end, Angolan musician Carlos Lamartine celebrated 65 years of career, with an intimate show, which brought together friends and colleagues.
Also honored was the musician Dom Caetano, at the end of the “Muzonguê da Tradição” season, for his contribution to the dissemination and preservation of music.
Likewise, Banda Maravilha celebrated 30 years of career this year.
The year was highlighted by few project achievements. The first edition took place in May, with Os Kiezos, Calabeto, Robertinho, Augusto Chakaya, Eddy Tussa, Fiel Didi, Lolito da Paixão and Suzanito. In July, Jovens do Prenda performed.
On October 29th, Gingas do Maculusso, Lulas da Paixão, Tony do Fumo Filho and Banda Movimento performed at “Muzonguê da Tradição”, created in February 2007.
“Muzonguê da Tradição” is a program that aims to promote, disseminate and enhance Angolan music. In the initial phase, the event had a partnership with Rádio Nacional de Angola, with the Caldo do Poeira project.
But not everything was “a bed of roses in the cultural panorama, which saw the departure, among other artists, of the musicians Lisboa Santos and Ilunga Mabanza da Costa, or simply “Rei da Costa, the latter the leader of the group Sassa Tchokwe “Kwata Kwata” .
Likewise, the king of Tchingolo, António Moreira, died at the age of 81.
António Moreira, born in the commune of Catata, on August 20, 1942, led Ombala do Tchingolo since April 3, 1983, where he stayed for 40 years.
In the field of Tourism, the highlight was the Forum BITUR Angola 2023-Bolsa Internacional do Turismo, which took place around the theme 'Tourism as a determining factor for the diversification of the Angolan Economy”.
The event, which brought together leaders and professionals from various sectors to discuss the main challenges of the Tourism industry, aimed to showcase the country and its activities, as well as publicize cultural, historical, gastronomic and natural aspects of national tourism. ELJ/ART/DOJ
