Dance of freedom
Nosagenda, 'our agenda', celebrates Cape Verde's forty-seventh Independence Day on 5 July 2022 at The Podium. With stories, music, workshops and dishes, the Cape Verdean platform will take visitors on a journey to the island group where so many Rotterdammers have their roots.
5 July 2022 17:00 - 21:00
Stories
The programme includes two readings. Jorge Lizardo is a member of the Comité São João that organises the annual festival of the same name at Rotterdam's Heemraadsplein -- or Pracinha d'Quêbrod, as the first Cape Verdean sailors in Rotterdam called it. He tells about their arrival in the city, the role of the square, the origins of the festival and the music that was released from 1965 onwards on the legendary Morabeza Records label. Black History adept and artist Jane Ortet is a third generation Cape Verdean, born and raised in Rotterdam, and talks about her fascination for Cape Verdean history: what does 'freedom' mean to her?
Batuku workshop
Batuku is one of Cape Verde's oldest music and dance styles, which originated during the transatlantic slave trade. During this period, making this music was prohibited by law, but it was still performed with pride by enslaved people. Experience this dance and music style for yourself during this Batuku workshop.
Programme
As well as the lectures and workshop, there will be live music from Jefferson da Veiga, Khyra Tavares and Lantuna, and MF Andrade will play a DJ set. In addition, work by artist Sai Rodrigues will be exhibited and several stalls will serve Cape Verdean snacks and products.