Africa-Press – Angola. The President of the European Council, António Costa, on Tuesday (25) in Luanda paid visit to the works at the future Museum of the National Liberation Struggle, located in the São Francisco do Penedo Fortress (former Military Detention Center), in the municipality of Ingombota, Luanda.
The project foresees the complete restoration of the fortress, part of a defensive complex that, between the 17th and 19th centuries, protected the city of Luanda.
The space had military and port functions and served as a slave depot, later becoming a prison after the end of the transatlantic slave trade.
Speaking to the press, António Costa recalled that he had joined, about two years ago, an initiative of the Angolan government dedicated to the preservation of the monument and the memory of the break with liberation.
He emphasized that this struggle concerns not only the Angolan people, but also the Portuguese, whose dictatorship was sustained for decades by a narrative of nationalism based on the idea of an “indivisible Portugal, from Minho to Timor”.
The European leader stated that the Angolan liberation struggle contributed to weakening the Portuguese dictatorial regime and accelerating its fall.
He added that the arrival of April 25th was allowed, a landmark that propelled the independence process.
António Costa stated that the experience of “twin” struggles, against dictatorship and against colonialism, explains the process of reconciliation between the peoples after April 25th (Portugal ́s Carnation Revolution) and its Independence.
He added that, 50 years later, a milestone is celebrated with joy similar to that of Angola’s independence, reinforcing the value of preserving historical memory.
António Costa also mentioned that marking the 50th anniversary of independence at that location, while the rehabilitation of the structure is underway, constitutes a moment of reflection on the historical journey.
He declared that the future must be built upon knowledge of the past, composed of glorious and also painful episodes.
The chairman of the European Council recalled that the worst was not only that it was a political prison, but also a slave depot, a symbol of one of the most dramatic periods in human history.
He added that the site also served a defensive function for the city, therefore all this memory must be preserved for a better understanding of the present and the future.
In turn, the Minister of Culture of Angola, Filipe Zau, without disclosing the value of the undertaking partially financed by the Portuguese government, highlighted the gesture of António Costa, when he was the Prime Minister of Portugal, considered decisive for the advancement of the project.
He reinforced the importance of preserving historical references for society and youth, as well as for the development of cultural tourism.
The project director, Claudina Quengue, informed that the project is now entering the architectural development phase, after the completion of the structural construction phase.
He explained that, as it is an old building subject to various modifications over the years, initial stabilization was necessary.
The completion of the works is scheduled for August of next year.The future museum facility functioned, in the 1910s, as the Luanda Military Detention Center, housing military personnel, civilians, and juvenile delinquents.
Source: ANGOP
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