"Angola Solta a Tua Voz" (Angola Lift Up Your Voice) is the title song and the name of the new CD that SFCG produced in Angola. The CD features the most popular musicians from across the musical and geographical landscape of Angola. Each song is a duet between musicians who normally would not perform together -- merging generations of popular Angolan musicians -- blending different styles of music from different areas of the country -- and symbolically marking the beginning of a new era in Angola characterized by inclusion, participation, and unity.
Music in Angola is an influential communications tool; people listen to what musicians say, giving their music and words power. This initiative is a response to the Government's announcement that parliamentary elections will be held in September 2008. The last elections, held in 1992, returned the country back into violent conflict. The goal of Angola Solta a Tua Voz is to motivate and inspire citizens to participate in the newly emerging democracy and play an active role in the decisions that will shape their future, and the future of Angola.
The CD was launched by a series of high profile events in Luanda, including a public concert attended by over 2,000 people; 3 television programs featuring the musicians and SFCG staff; radio programs; TV and radio spots; newspaper articles in every major newspaper; and an invitation only event for the media and VIP officials. The Ambassador to Angola from the European Union, speaking at this event, reflected that this is exactly the type of initiative needed in Angola and he hopes there will be more initiatives of this kind. The CDs will be widely distributed thru radio and TV stations, to schools, and through music distribution channels.
This builds on the success of SFCG Angola's previous music initiative, which took place while the conflict was still ongoing. The song that we produced -- A Paz a Que Povo Chama (The People Are Calling for Peace) became the anthem for peace in Angola, and was played during the signing of the peace accords. Several of the artists who participated in the 1998 groundbreaking project, also participated in Angola Solta a Tua Voz.
Musician Bigu Ferreira
Felipe Zau, one of Angola's most revered musicians who was involved in both projects, said "I feel real pride in seeing this new younger generation of Angolan artists taking on this responsibility and using music as a messenger of peace, and as a tool to build the kind of society we want."
McK, a popular young rapper, said that "it is my belief that this project will be remembered 30 years from now, marking the beginning of a new time here in Angola."
SFCG has been in Angola since 1996, supporting the peace and reconciliation process through diverse programs engaging the media, civil society, community groups and the Angolan government. With offices in Luanda and Cabinda, a full-time radio production studio, and a community outreach toolbox that includes conflict resolution training, community organizing, facilitation, and youth empowerment, SFCG is working to transform Angolan society into a culture of coexistence, security, social justice and popular participation.
