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File photo / Cesaria Evora
Mozambican and Cape Verdean artists will take to the stage of the Franco-Mozambican Cultural Centre(CCFM) today to pay tribute to the “Barefoot Diva”, Cesária Évora.
The tribute to the renowned Cape Verdean singer will bring together on the same stage Cape Verdeans Nancy Vieira, Lucibela and Toy Vieira, and Mozambicans Xixel Langa and Rhodália Silvestre.
They will be accompanied by Mozambican musicians including bassist Hélder Gonzaga, drummer Tony Paco and guitarist Válter Mabas.
The concert, organised in partnership with the Lusafrica Agency, will mark the end of this year’s activities at the Franco-Mozambican Cultural Center, whose doors will then reopen only on January 15, 2017.
Cesária Évora was born on August 27, 1941 in the city of Mindelo, Cape Verde. Daughter of Justino da Cruz Évora, a guitar player and composer, and Dona Joana, Cesária, or Cize, to her closest friends, was considered the “ambassador of the morna”, a traditional Cape Verdian song style, and during her career made 24 albums including original and live material and partnership with artists from many different countries.
After 45 years singing in the Cape Verdean style all over the world, Cize announced her retirement.
On December 17, 2011, the “Barefoot Diva” lost her life at the age of 70, in the city where she was born and which witnessed a career dedicated to the nation’s musical style. Her death has left Cape Verde and the world in dismay.
On March 8, 2012, the then São Pedro International Airport (São Vicente) was renamed the Cesaria Évora International Airport. A three-metre-high statue of the singer graces a public square at the entrance to the airport.
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