Luanda - Angola nationalist Julião Mateus Paulo "Dino Matrosse" has said he will launch the second volume of his Memoirs, covering from 1971 to 1977, on January 19 at Luanda 's António Agostinho Neto Memorial.
The 497 pages book will be presented by the historian Rosa Cruz e Silva. The preface of the work was written by the historian Cornélio Calei.
Dino Matrosse said that the conditions for the launching of the book have been created, adding that he wrote the memoirs to enable the new generation to know more about the history of Angola.
"These memoirs are memories, because many have not been present throughout these years in those fights that we fought against the Portuguese colonialism, with weapons in hand (guerrilla warfare), while others were in the prisons. So, many do not know these problems", Matrosse said.
The politician recalled that in the first volume of his memoirs (1961 to 1971), he talked about the national liberation struggle and, in the second volume (1971 to 1977), he portrays, among others, the successive dissidences that occurred within his party (MPLA), from 1963 onwards, as well as the crisis that broke out in the east of the country, with Daniel Chipenda (dubbed Active Revolt).
In this book, the nationalist also talks about the events of the 27th of May 1977 (foiled coup attempt), as well as the Battle of Kifangondo, which preceded the proclamation of national independence, with photos and documents of the time.
Julião Mateus Paulo "Dino Matrosse", prominent figure of the ruling MPLA, said he did not understand why the events of 27th May still constitute a certain "taboo" in the society.
In this work, "Dino Matrosse" also portrays the contradictions that existed within the international communist movement created in 1956 between the countries or political parties that were part of that movement.
According to the nationalist, these events, throughout their struggle, had a lot of incidence or influence within the national liberation movements at the time.
When questioned if he still intends to write other memories, Dino Matrosse said that everything will depend on the circumstances, "because it is not easy to write a book, it takes a lot of research. Besides what we know, we were also protagonists of the national liberation struggle (...)".
Profile
Julião Mateus Paulo "Dino Matrosse" was born on 30th December 1942, in Bengo Province. In 1962, due to colonial repression, he interrupted his studies, left the country and joined the Movement for the Liberation of Angola MPLA, on 04th January 1963.
In 1966, together with other MPLA comrades, he entered Angola through Moxico province, and lived underground, dedicating himself to the different positions that the MPLA entrusted to him and to the armed struggle for independence.
He graduated in Political Science and Law.
He has held several posts, including national director of Human Resources at the Secretariat of State for Industry and Energy. He was FAPLA's national political deputy commissioner, member of the Revolution Council, deputy of the then People's Assembly, National Defense vice-minister, minister of State for National Security and parliament MP.
