The festivities began on Saturday, with the children's class parade. According to the government of the province of Luanda (GPL), a total of 16 groups paraded in this class.
"Sixteen carnival groups are competing for the Children's Class prizes in this edition, namely: Cassules da Geração Sagrada Esperança; Admiradores da Kazucuta do Hoji Ya Henda; Cassules do Sagrada Esperança; Cassules do Fogo Negro; Cassules do Giza; Cassules do Twabixila; Cassules do Twafundumuka; Cassules dos Jovens das Cacimbas; Cassules do Café de Angola; Cassules do Amazonas do Prenda; Viveiro do Njinga Mbande; Cassules dos Petrolíferos; Cassules do Kazucuta do Sambizanga; Cassules do 10 de Dezembro; and Cassules do 54", says a note from the GPL.
The children's class parade was predominantly dominated by the musical styles Semba and Dizanda. "Semba and Dizanda are the predominant musical styles among the carnival groups that display their dances, songs and floats in the competitive parade of the Children's Class, on the New Marginal of Luanda", points out the GPL.
"Themes such as the preservation of health and tribute to prominent figures of our recent history, such as Dom Alexandre Cardeal do Nascimento, complement the brightness and fun of the Luanda Carnival, the Carnival of the 50 years of National Independence", adds the provincial government.
The children's class parade was also marked by the presence of foreign tourists in the stands. "German, Portuguese and English tourists present at the Children's Class parade (...) highlight the strength of the Luanda Carnival and express their passion for the musical rhythms and dance of Angola", says the GPL.
The festivities continued on Sunday, with the Class B parade, where "themes such as preserving the well-being of children and paying homage to the old Belas post, currently the municipality of Maianga, added sparkle and fun" to the Luanda Carnival.
According to the GPL, Kazucuta and Semba were the predominant musical styles among the carnival groups that displayed their dances, songs and floats in the competitive Class B parade.
The adult Class B parade featured 11 groups. "The groups, from the municipalities of Cacuaco, Maianga, Rangel, Cazenga, Kilamba Kiaxi, Sambizanga, Hoji Ya Henda and Mulenvos, displayed their potential in the categories of dance, song, court, panel, commander, float and support phalanx before the panel of judges", says the provincial government.
However, the festivities do not stop there and, this Monday, it is Class A's turn to take the stage. The competitive parade for this class is scheduled for 5:00 pm.
This year, entry to the venue is free, a measure that the public is pleased with. Maria Manuel said that it was a good measure.
"The measure is good considering that this year the country will be celebrating 50 years of Independence and everyone will have the opportunity to see the groups parade here," she said in a statement to Jornal de Angola.
Rosária dos Santos shares the same opinion: "It was a very good measure because it gives people who like to see the groups parade but don't have the money the opportunity to see the groups parade here."
After the parades of the three usual classes (children, B and A), the municipal parades are scheduled to take place on Tuesday.
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