Africa-Press – Angola. The city of Luanda will become, on the 22nd, 23rd and 24th of this month, the African capital of the culture of peace, which will translate into an intergenerational dialogue between heads of state and young Africans.
In this 3rd edition of the Pan-African Forum for the Culture of Peace, participants will address, in six panels, topics such as “Young people, actors in promoting the culture of peace and social transformations on the continent – high-level dialogue” and “Technology and Education as tools to achieve gender equality”,
“The role of women in peace, security and development processes”, “The process of transforming educational systems: Innovative practices and financing in the African context”, “The challenges and opportunities of the integration of the African continent and the prospects for economic growth” and “Climate change, ethical challenges, impacts, adaptation and vulnerability”, also fill the agenda of the Luanfda Biennial.
The event, co-organized by Angola, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the African Union (AU), will focus on Intergenerational Dialogue, which will bring together Heads of State and Government and young Africans.
During the meeting, participants will also focus on the challenges of building bridges between generations dedicated to a peaceful Africa, as well as captivating young people to contribute effectively, in the medium and long term, to the Pan-African Movement for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence.
Luanda: the cosmopolitan city
With 113 km2 (city) / 18,826 km2 (province), Luanda has more than 7 million inhabitants.
Bathed by the Atlantic Ocean, the Angolan capital has a tropical climate with a hot and humid season from October to May and a cold and dry season, Cacimbo, from June to September.
Capital of the Republic of Angola and capital of the province of the same name, it has been the largest city in the country since 1627. The story goes that, around 1974/1975, Luanda had a population of approximately 500 thousand people.
During the years of armed conflict there was an immense exodus of populations from the interior to the coast and, in particular, to the capital.
As of 2011, the previous “greater Luanda” gave rise to three municipalities: Luanda, Belas, Cazenga Viana, Quiçama, Cacuaco and Ícolo and Bengo, to which Kilamba Kiaxi and Talatona were added.
The municipality of Luanda is made up of 5 districts: Ingombota, Maianga, Rangel, Samba and Sambizanga.
Economy
Luanda is the city with the greatest economic growth, in particular, since Angola achieved peace and political and social stability in 2002. The huge investments, national or in partnership with private and institutional international financiers, particularly in the area of civil construction and telecommunications, make the city and municipality a rapidly growing metropolis, with sophisticated residential and office buildings.
It is the main financial, commercial and economic center of Angola, being responsible for around 90% of the country’s GDP (Gross Domestic Product). The largest Angolan companies and delegations and subsidiaries of several multinationals are headquartered in this city.
The port of Luanda, located in Luanda Bay, is the country’s main port, handling more than 70% of Angolan imports and exports (oil/crude excluded).
Tourism
One of Luanda’s most beautiful postcards, Avenida 4 de Fevereiro, known simply as Marginal, displays the contrast between the natural beauty of Luanda Bay and the modern buildings around it. The island of Luanda, at the entrance to Luanda Bay, has beautiful beaches with white sand and clear waters, decorated with coconut trees. There is an excellent entertainment structure on the island, with many bars and restaurants. The city’s carnival has been increasingly sought after by visitors.
The Marginal is well known for the countless passers-by who stroll and do sport there daily.
Culture/gastronomy
The cosmopolitan character of Luanda makes the city a meeting point for all ethnic-linguistic, religious, artistic, musical, gastronomic and folkloric manifestations, both Angolan and even African. Added to this is the immense architectural and historical heritage.
The ethnic mix of the Luanda population is also reflected in the interaction observed in the city’s cultural elements, where the various traditions of the different peoples interacted and took on their own characteristics in the city. This cultural mix can be seen in the typical dishes (calulu, quizaca, bombó or corn funge, moamba chicken, mufete, magoga, beans with palm oil, cabidela).
Of the dishes, the one that most represents Luanda due to its popularity is mufete, developed by the people of Luanda.
In musical and dance artistic manifestations there are kizomba, kuduro, semba, kazukuta, rebita and cabetula. Kuduro was the first eminently Angolan (and Luanda) genre to become popular worldwide, while riveta goes back to the roots of local music and dance.
Among the other provinces of the country, Luanda has a considerable heritage that constitutes the most eloquent testimony to the historical trajectory of the activity and sensitivity of the Angolan people in different periods and historical situations.
The province provides its inhabitants and visitors with a varied offer. The architecture of the 17th and 18th centuries is well represented with the churches of Na Sr.a do Carmo, among other historical and cultural monuments. A huge set of museums and places of historical interest and landscaping dazzle its visitors, such as the National Museum of Natural History, the National Museum of Anthropology, the National Museum of Slavery, the Museum of Military History, the Kifangondo Historical Landmark, among others.
The capital is also the main university center in the country, with a considerable number of universities, including: Agostinho Neto University, Catholic University, Independent University, Jean Piaget University and Lusíada University.
The vast majority of Luanda’s inhabitants are of Bantu origin, mainly Ambundu, Ovimbundu and Bakongo.
Currently, it hosts several foreign communities, such as Portuguese, Brazilian, Chinese and West African.
The most spoken language in Luanda is Portuguese, which is also the country’s official language, and several languages from the Bantu group are also spoken, mainly Kimbundu.
Luanda was formally founded by Paulo Dias de Novais on January 25, 1576 under the name São Paulo de Luanda. The choice of location was influenced by three main factors: the existence of a magnificent natural port, located in a bay open to the sea but protected by an island, drinking water, the waters of the Maianga wells in what was the Elefantes lagoon and the excellent defense conditions offered by the São Paulo hill.
Luanda Biennial
Luanda Biennial, which takes place every two years in the Angolan capital, aims to promote the prevention of violence and the peaceful resolution of conflicts, encouraging education, cultural exchange in Africa and intergenerational dialogue.
The event brings together heads of State and Government, representatives of International Organizations and Financial Institutions from around the world, investors, artistic and scientific communities, young people, women and members of civil society, and was designed as a space for reflection on the main development challenges sustainable development of the African continent and the importance of the arts in raising awareness about the value of the culture of peace, ideas and good practices related to social and economic progress on the continent.
It is a platform for implementing the “Action Plan for a Culture of Peace in Africa/We act for peace”, adopted in March 2013, in Luanda, at the Pan-African Forum “Sources and Resources for a Culture of Peace”.
It also serves as a space to promote the commitment of African leaders and civil society on the continent based on the aspirations of the African Union Agenda 2063, the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN Agenda 2030 and, finally, the “UNESCO Operational Strategy for the Africa Priority 2022-2029”.
angop
For More News And Analysis About Angola Follow Africa-Press
