Africa-Press – Angola. Angolan Culture Minister Filipe Zau announced this Thursday in Luanda the start of studies with UNESCO experts to elevate the semba style to the status of intangible cultural heritage of humanity.
According to the minister, who was speaking at the opening of the second edition of the Semba project, this initiative reinforces the international recognition of one of the greatest symbols of Angolan musical identity.
The minister stressed that the action is part of a cultural enhancement strategy that involves the fusion of tradition and modernity.
During his speech, Filipe Zau addressed the various actions taken to rescue cultural values.
Thus, the minister highlighted significant progress, such as the completion of the National Cinematheque, the start of construction on the Palace of Arts, and the approval of the project for the reconstruction of Mbanza Kongo, the former center of the Kingdom of Kongo.
He also mentioned the increase in the number of artists interested in obtaining professional credentials, the strengthened cooperation between the National Union of Artists and Composers (UNAC) and the Association of Hotels and Resorts of Angola (ARA), as well as the restoration of museum pieces exhibited at the Museum of Anthropology.Among the ongoing structural actions, the government official highlighted the construction of the new National Library, the transformation of the São Francisco do Penedo Fortress into the Museum of the National Liberation Struggle, and the operation of the Manuel Rui Cultural Center, the latter in Huambo province.
In this context, the minister advocated maintaining dialogue between the State and civil society, in order to define cultural policies adjusted to the present and the desired future.
The head of the Culture sector also assured that the recognition of semba by UNESCO will be another milestone in consolidating Angolan cultural identity.
The second edition of the project “Semba in the Endogenous Concept of Tradition and Modernity” will take place over four days with music, dance, and literary exhibitions about semba.
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