Africa-Press – Angola. The 28th edition of the Luanda Song Festival, scheduled for September 19th of this year, aims to pay tribute to the city of Mbanza Kongo, former capital of the Kingdom of Congo and a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Site since 2017.
The event, which marks one of the country’s largest cultural events, is scheduled to take place at the historic Kulumbimbi, an emblematic landmark of the aforementioned city.
This year’s edition aims to celebrate the musical roots of northern Angola, particularly the provinces of Zaire and Uíge, in a rhapsody dedicated to the rhythms and voices that shaped the cultural identity of this region.
The rhapsody, with artistic direction by producer Júlio Gil, features performances by leading names in Mbanza Kongo music, including Teta Lando, Ricardo Lenvo, and Valdemar Bastos, as well as a special tribute to Manuel de Oliveira, recognized as a pioneer of Congolese rumba music.
The show will also feature a strong female vocal presence and traditional dance performances, highlighting the diakula style, typical of Congolese dance.
Speaking during the event’s announcement on Thursday, the festival’s executive director, Carla Romero, highlighted the formative, cultural, and historical nature of this edition.
She emphasized that the festival is more than a performance, is an act of remembrance, a space for cultural affirmation and a stage for the new generation of Angolan artists.
Carla Romero also announced that ten candidates were selected for ten original songs for the festival, who will compete for the grand Sonangol Song Prize, valued at three 3 million kwanzas. The best performer will receive 500,000 kwanzas, and the best lyrics, 500,000 kwanzas.
On the other hand, the award for best voice, the Zimbo Prize, is valued at 1,500,000 kwanzas, and the auditors’ prize is also worth the same amount.
The official announced that next week, the tickets will be already available for purchase at the bazaar for 15,000 kwanzas. This festival is built on persistence, passion and faith in culture, not the common good.
Elizandra Nginda, Teidy Cawissi, Silger Sam, Robezskill, Kina Mulela, Jato Lopes, Kelvin Lino, Mars Luise, Garcia C and Vocal Forasteiro, are the competitors for the festival.
The festival’s musical direction is once again headed by Nino Jazz, who announced surprises in the band’s lineup and highlighted the presence of a young guitarist recommended by the guitarist Mário Gomes.
This year’s special guest artist is C4 Pedro, who accepted the challenge of immersing himself in the world of Afro-Congolese rumba music, adding a special touch to the gala evening.
The festival’s program will be enriched with two conferences at the Epic Sana Hotel, with the theme “Mbanza Kongo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the life and work of Manuel de Oliveira, a tribute to the Angolan musician’s historical importance”.
The festival’s finalists will also participate in a trip to Mbanza Kongo, with the aim of gaining inspiration and absorbing the cultural essence of the place.
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