The guarantee is given by the director of the National Institute of Cultural Heritage, Cecilia Gourgel. According to the director, this elevation will be part of the programme of celebrations of the 45th anniversary of National Independence, which will take place on 11 November.
"Although we are all still affected by the outbreak of the covid-19 pandemic, as soon as jobs are restored, the studies and research carried out for the sustainability of the proclamation will continue, thus allowing the finalization of the inventory that is concerned with highlighting the particularities and importance of the semba musical style and its respective dance," she said, in statements to the newspaper Jornal de Angola.
Cecilia Gourgel also explained that in the process of recognizing semba as a National Intangible Heritage, some bodies under the Ministry's jurisdiction - the Art School Complex, the National Directorate of Artistic Training and the National Directorate of Cutura - and some artists who want to preserve this musical style are involved.
This recognition will put semba on the list of candidates for Immaterial Heritage of Humanity, awarded by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
