Africa-Press – Angola. The University of International Studies of Rome (UNINTI) awarded, this Thursday, in the city of Rome, the title of doctor magistralis honoris causa to the writer Maria Eugénia Neto, for defending multilingualism in Angola and safeguarding cultural minorities.
The grant to Maria Eugénia Neto, widow of the first President of Angola, António Agostinho Neto, also results from the desire to spread her language and culture abroad, according to a press release sent by the Institutional Communication and Press Services of the Embassy of Angola in Italy.
The recognition was made during the ceremony at the beginning of the 2023/2024 academic year, an occasion used to announce the opening of the “Maria Eugénia Neto” Chair, which, along with the Agostinho Neto Chair, will integrate the Portuguese language studies program at the University of International Studies in Rome.
When granting the title on behalf of the institution, rector Mariagrazia Russo highlighted the fact that the two chairs also serve to disseminate Angolan culture.
On the occasion, a cooperation agreement was also signed between the Agostinho Neto Foundation and the University of International Studies of Rome, with the main objective of disseminating culture, science and higher education, through research and teaching activities.
When thanking the award, Maria Eugénia Neto expressed pride in seeing her name associated with such a prestigious institution and summarized the reasons that led to this award, based on the fact that she was very present in Agostinho Neto’s life.
For Maria Eugénia Neto, Italy understood the message of freedom and faith from Agostinho Neto who, in his poem “awareness”, launched the cry for the observance of sacred principles of humanity, such as peace, justice, freedom and love for others , which are currently no longer cultivated around the world.
In turn, Ambassador Fátima Jardim thanked the gesture of the University of International Studies in Rome, in particular its rector’s commitment to promoting Angola’s culture and recognizing the support at all levels given by Maria Eugénia Neto, to the first president from Angola.
The Angolan ambassador to the Holy See, Carlos Fonseca, recalled the role played by Maria Eugénia Neto in promoting Neto’s legacy, in addition to her contribution to Angolan literature.
Students and teachers are equally hopeful that the life and work of Agostinho Neto and the culture of the Angolan people will continue to be disseminated in Italy.
The tribute was witnessed by Angola’s ambassadors to Italy and to the Vatican, respectively Maria de Fátima Jardim and Carlos Fonseca, diplomats from Portuguese-speaking countries, members of the university’s governing body, including the president of the Board of Directors, Maurizio Finicelli, the Vice-President, Fabio Bisogni, and the Rector Mariagrazia Russo.
For More News And Analysis About Angola Follow Africa-Press
