"Among Angolans, there is a deep recognition of the figure of Agostinho Neto, we love him as the founder of the nation, as the first President of Angola, as an instigator of the national liberation struggle, but also the relevance of the literary work he produced", said Adão. de Almeida, Minister of State and Chief of Staff of the President of Angola, before the guests in Paris.
Thursday night at UNESCO headquarters, the eve of the anniversary of Angola's independence, was full of tributes to the first President Agostinho Neto. UNESCO joined the celebration of the centenary of his birth and it was in Paris that the celebrations came to an end.
Sam Nujoma, former President of Namibia and partner in independence struggles of Agostinho Neto, sent a video message, as did Bishop Emílio de Carvalho. A message from Joaquim Chissano, former President of Mozambique, was also read on stage. Luzia Inglês, president of the Pan-African Women's Organization, and Augusta Conchiclia, friend of Agostinho Neto, shared their experiences with the poet with the guests.
"During this year of the centenary of the birth of Agostinho Neto, his poems were heard at UNESCO, his works were sung, his story was told on the walls of our common home and indelible marks were left in our hearts. [...] It became clear that Agostinho Neto is not and was not just a historical figure for Angola or a symbol for Africa, but an unavoidable figure for the world", declared the Angolan ambassador to UNESCO, Ana Maria d'Oliveira .
The Contemporary Dance Company of Angola, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary, presented the play "Is this a woman?", by choreographers Ana Clara Guerra Marques and Irène Tassembédo.
Last week, UNESCO had on its walls an extensive photography exhibition about the life of Agostinho Neto, from his family and youth in Angola, through the period he lived in Portugal, the war of independence and his experience as the first President of Angola.
