Olivença celebrates June 10 with the unveiling of a bust of Camões

As part of the celebrations of Portugal Day, Camões Day and the Portuguese Communities, the city of Olivença is preparing for a special celebration on June 10.

The date, which pays tribute to the poet Luís Vaz de Camões and the Portuguese language, will be marked by the unveiling of a bust in his honour, donated by UCCLA, symbolising the strong cultural connection between Portugal and the Olivença community.

The ceremony will take place on Rua Lope de Vega, an emblematic space in the city, and will be attended by local authorities, representatives of UCCLA and members of the community. The bust, sculpted in bronze and designed by Diogo Munõz, was designed to reflect the importance of Camões as a leading exponent of Portuguese literature and theCamões  Portuguese-speaking world.

The festivities are scheduled to begin at noon at Praça da Constituição, with a speech by the Mayor of Olivença, Manuel González Andrade, and the Secretary-General of UCCLA, Luís Álvaro Campos Ferreira.

The program also includes a reading of “Os Lusíadas” by students from the Olivença Educational Centres, a tasting of Portuguese snacks and a guided tour of the exhibition “Camões – Pillar of Cultural Identity”.

The celebrations will conclude at 9:30 p.m., at Praça de Espanha – Terreiro de Chão Salgado, with a musical performance by Princezito, from Cape Verde, and Rhodália Silvestre, from Mozambique.

This initiative, which also marks the 40th anniversary of UCCLA, reinforces Olivença’s commitment to preserving and promoting Portuguese cultural heritage, strengthening ties with Portuguese-speaking communities and celebrating the richness of the language and literature that unite peoples.

The June 10 celebrations in Olivença represent a significant moment of unity and celebration of the Portuguese language, reaffirming the city’s commitment to preserving and promoting its rich cultural heritage.

Princezito

Carlos Alberto Sousa Mendes, whose stage name is Princezito, was born in Cape Verde four years before independence, on the island of Santiago, in the village of Tarrafal – Monte Iria, an area where the legendary singer from Finason – Bibinha Kabral – lived the last years of her life, a lady whose art of singing Princezito coveted.

He studied at the school in the village where he was born, and from a very early age, he aroused the admiration of teachers and classmates for his originality in writing and reciting his poems, an art he had learned at home with his older brothers.

During the eight years he lived in Cuba, Princezito absorbed the great cultural diversity of that country, from Afro-Cuban rhythms and songs to popular and contemporary music.

He was the mentor of the “AYAN” project, a record that highlighted the new trend in the Batuku style and launched the so-called Pantera generation. A production that included the participation of Tcheka, Vadu, Djingo and Princezito himself, who brought to earth a replica of “Lua”, his composition that has left its mark on the minds and souls of many who listen to it. Registered by Mayra (CD) and Lura (DVD).

Rhodália Silvestre

Daughter of Mozambican parents, born in Mbabane, Swaziland, in 1986. From a very early age, Rhodália showed a musical talent, as her father was Maestro Faustino António Chirute, one of the few Africans trained in orchestra conducting in the former USSR and mentor of Majescoral – Maputo Jazz Espiritual Coral. Although her father was one of the main influencers of her musical career, on weekends, her musical practice would swing between harmonies and rhythms ranging from classical music to R&B, jazz and reggae, with a notable influence of African rhythms that, combined with Afro-jazz, influenced her remarkable creativity, through her musical compositions and the meaning of her lyrics.

Rhodália is therefore a Mozambican singer-songwriter, winner of several awards, including the Ngoma Moçambique 2017 revelation award, the best voice in Mozambique at Ngoma Moçambique 2018, the best voice again at Ngoma Moçambique in 2022 and also the Vodacom Vibratoques award. It is worth mentioning that Rhodália Silvestre was a finalist in the 2025 edition of the “Got Talent Portugal” program.

This powerful voice released her album of new songs, Wansati, with 12 songs, released on July 24, 2020 by the producer Modigi, with the collaboration of the renowned Mozambican bassist Sacre who, like her, was a member of the Mozambican group Banda Azul, a sensation in the 2000s with Rhodália (2006) as the lead singer.

Possessing a strong personality that imposes itself naturally, in addition to being a great singer, she also has other skills in which, once again, her resilience as a great fighter stands out. She sings in English, Portuguese, Zulu, Xhosa, Shangane, Swati and Chichewa, communicating fluently in these languages.

Always confirm with the concert hall or promoter the conditions of access, confirmation of the date or time, ticket place of sale, price, and availability.

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