The classification will be made official next Wednesday, the day on which National Culture Day is marked, with the unveiling of the plaque that classifies this site as National Cultural Heritage.
According to Angop, with this recognition, Huambo – which has 123 historical monuments cataloged – now includes eight 'Sites of Historical Interest', whose list includes names such as Ombala do Huambo, Forte da Kissala, Estação Arqueológica do Fety, among others.
The square was built between 1935 and 1940 and the name Agostinho Neto was the last to be given to this place that has a dimension of cultural, economic and social development as it is located in the center of the upper city, surrounded by buildings with a multinational architectural style of high relevance in the local urban scenario, promoting coexistence, sports practices and leisure activities.
When it was built, the square was named after Doctor Manuel de Arriaga and was the 'home' of the monumental statue of Norton de Matos, creator of the city of Huambo, as well as hosting his four virtues, namely justice, wisdom, temperance and prudence.
In the post-independence period, the square was renamed, and between 1975 and 1976 it was nicknamed Largo 11 de Novembro.
According to Angop, the square ended up being affected by the armed conflict (1993-2002), whose partial destruction made it the target of reconstruction in 2006. It was only there that it was named after the country's first president: Praça Doutor António Agostinho Neto.
At that time, a bronze monument to Agostinho Neto was also erected at the site.
With an attractive area for outdoor activities, this square, according to Angop, is the largest square in the country.
National Culture Day will also be marked by the elevation of the ancestral Olundonga dance from the central region of the country, but with roots in Huambo, a National Historical Heritage Site.
It is worth noting that the central event of National Culture Day will take place in Huambo, next Wednesday, under the motto "Preserve and Value the Achievements Achieved for a Better Future".
