Mozambique: 13 make it to Moz Slam Spoken Word Poetry finals in Maputo

Login

Register

http://www.clubofmozambique.com/

Mozambique: 13 make it to Moz Slam Spoken Word Poetry finals in Maputo

6:22 CAT | 24 Jan 2025

File photo: Palavras são Palavras / Facebook

A total of 13 artists will participate in the final of the 6th edition of the Mozambican Spoken Word Championship (Moz Slam) in Maputo on Saturday, which pays tribute to the musician Azagaia, a source from the organization told Lusa today.

“‘Rapper’ Azagaia was a compass present in the dream of this project. He always believed in the transformative power of words, having been a member of the jury in the final of the 4th edition. We remember his commitment and fervour in his motivational words, addressed to poets,” the initiative’s communications manager, Matilde Chabana, told Lusa.

The final of the spoken word poetry (“rapping”) competition is scheduled to take place at the Mozambique-China Cultural Centre.

Of the 13 finalists, 12 are from Maputo and one from Zambézia province, in the centre of the country, said Chabana, indicating that the post-election protests makes it impossible for poets from other parts of Mozambique to participate.

According to the organisers, the winner of the 6th Moz Slam edition will represent Mozambique in the world finals, the «Grand Poetry Slam«, which usually takes place in Paris in the last months of the year.

More than 300 spectators are expected on Saturday to watch the Moz Slam final, said Matilde Chabana. The initiative was first held in 2018 and has seen its audience grow as it is a platform that gives space to new voices of Mozambican poetry.

“The slam focuses on spoken word poetry to express feelings that, for the most part, are social criticisms. This is the arena where spoken word poetry comes to the fore, where artists can express themselves and show their militancy. However, this space already safeguards the integrity and protection of artists against social ills, since they find the right place to express themselves and be heard,” Chabana explained.

For the final, each performance lasts three minutes, evaluated by a jury of five members, explained Chabana.

Moz Slam is an initiative of production company Palavras São Palavras Eventos, whose objective is to use words and verse as forms of social and political expression.

Source: Lusa