Mbanza Kongo- The programme of the International Festival of Kongo Culture and Arts (Festikongo), 2021 edition, to be held from 01 to 08 July, includes a conference and exhibitions on Mbanza Kongo: World Heritage city.
According to the deputy coordinator of the Historic Centre Participatory Management Committee, Biluka Nsakala Nsenga, an ecumenical service is also planned, in honour of prophetess Kimpa Vita, a representative spiritual figure of the ancient Kongo Kingdom.
He explained that the conference will be held in a virtual format due to the limitations imposed by Covid-19, and should count on the participation of national and foreign specialists.
Festikongo is a recommendation made by UNESCO when Mbanza Kongo was inscribed on the list of the Cultural Heritage of Humanity, on 08 July 2017, which envisaged the holding of three consecutive annual editions, in this city.
The purpose is to foster sustainable development and unite the peoples of the Kongo cultural mosaic and beyond, as well as the exchange of experience between them in a variety of fields.
The first edition was held in July 2019 to celebrate the second anniversary of the inscription of this city by UNESCO. The second edition was expected to be held in 2020, postponed due to the outbreak and spread of the covid-19 pandemic.
Management Committee receives Kz seven million/month for improvements
On the other hand, Biluka Nsakala Nsenga informed that the Participatory Management Committee of the Historical Centre of Mbanza Kongo receives, monthly, seven million Kwanzas for maintenance and conservation works of the local cultural attributes that allowed the inscription of this city.
