Africa-Press – Angola. Ten years later, historian Joaquim Grilo, 77, admits to having already completed his first book entitled “Memories of the Province of Benguela and its People”, whose publication is conditioned by lack of sponsorship.
“Memories of the Province of Benguela and its People – From the 17th to the 21st Century” – the original title – is a 939-page work with old color photographs, under the seal of the Brazilian publisher Alupolo.
In five chapters, the book of memories will address, among others, the geography, first inhabitants, authorities that governed the province, families and some personalities that deeply marked the history and culture of Benguela.
Sport, Portuguese youth, fishing guild, culture, amateur radio, tourism, architecture, industrial park and commerce are other aspects that the book proposes to portray.
In an interview this Tuesday, Joaquim Grilo reveals that he has no money out of his own pocket to publish the book and, therefore, is looking for sponsorships like someone looking for a “needle in a haystack”.
With the work already in print in Brazil, the author says that he already has an order for Portugal and some universities in Luanda, but he throws the ball to potential sponsors, especially the business community and perhaps the Provincial Government of Benguela at the highest level.
“If I get money within a month, in the second month, we have the book here”, he asserts, stressing that he is happy because he already has children, planted many trees and wrote a book that just needs to be published.
Just to print 200 copies by Alupolo publishing house, in Brazil, for example, historian Joaquim Grilo estimates that he would need at least two million kwanzas, amounts he does not have at his disposal so far, hence the need for support in order not to postpone the dream that lasts ten years.
“And (these specimens) will disappear in a flash, because many people from Benguela in Portugal and Luanda are waiting for the work to be completed”, said Joaquim Grilo, who hopes for the goodwill of entrepreneurs.
According to the author, the memoir is one step away from becoming a reality, although its launch in the national and international literary market (Brazil and Portugal) is practically dependent on the good faith of the companies.
“The book took ten years, without the right to a weekend. A part of these memories lives on, but two thirds have been researched”, she says.
And remembering that it was very difficult to find a publisher like the Brazilian Alupolo that made a cheaper budget in relation to the other two contacted in Angola and Portugal.
“Including transport, a book costs ten thousand kwanzas”, adds the historian, stressing that this is why he is still looking for sponsorships.
“Antidote” for youth to know Benguela
Benfica, Calohombo, Calomanga, Calomburaco, Calundo, Cambanda, Camunda, Capiras, Casseque Goa, Casseque Macau, Casseque Marítimo and Cassoco are some of the 32 historic neighborhoods of Benguela, portrayed in the book, as well as the ten municipalities, from the coast to the interior.
Worried about the lack of interest among young people in the history of Benguela, the historian claims that he is a “patron” and, for this reason, he wrote this book as if it were a medicine, so that young people can learn about the local history.
“Here is the medicine for youth to know the history of Benguela, the old neighborhoods and municipalities”, he stressed, while showing Press a version sent by Alupolo, for some technical corrections, before publication, still without date.
“This is the proof that came from Alupolo publishing house”, he highlights, assuring that it is the only book in Angola with about a thousand pages in A4 format and colored pages.
About the author
Historical researcher, Joaquim José Luis Grilo, pseudonym “Kalunjololo”, was born on March 24, 1946, in Malanje province, where he lived until he was six years old, when he curiously arrived in Benguela on May 17, 1952.
In 1968, he attended a journalism course by correspondence from Lisbon, Portugal.
In 2012, at the invitation of the Ministry of Culture, he participated in a short documentary entitled “A Rota dos Escravos”, in the region of Benguela, made by TV Record.
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