It portends to be a morning of intellectual stimulation and reminiscences.
Aquino de Bragança and Silvia Bragança, two Goans who dedicated themselves to Mozambique, will be posthumously honoured on October 30, 2024, by the Shenoi Goembab School of Languages and Literature (SGSLL) in collaboration with the School of International and Area Studies (SIAS) of Goa University.
Aquino’s family has invited Dr Colin Darch from South Africa to speak on Aquino’s work at the Centro de Estudos Africanos (CEA) and his vision for social studies.
In addition to that, a poetry collection by Silvia Bragança, translated into five languages — English, French, Hindi, Konkani and Marathi — will be released by Goa University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Harilal B Menon.
There will also be a panel discussion, featuring Dr Darch, Miguel Bragança, and documentary director Nalini Elvino de Sousa, moderated by Dr Dattesh D Parulekar, who is an assistant professor at the School of International and Area Studies, Goa University.
The celebrations will conclude with the screening of Special Envoy.
WHO ARE AQUINO AND SILVIA?
Silvia was an artist, painter and poet, born on the October 4, 1937, who lived in Goa, Portugal and Mozambique.
In 1983, she met Aquino de Bragança, a pivotal figure in the first years of independent Mozambique. Born in Salvador do Mundo, Goa, in 1924, Aquino became a key diplomat, professor, and journalist in Mozambique.
Despite their short marriage — lasting just over a year before Aquino’s premature death — Silvia continued to speak of him with great love and devotion.
AQUINO’S DEATH & LEGACY
Aquino’s tragic death in an airplane crash on October 19, 1986, in Mbuzini, South Africa, also claimed the life of Samora Machel, the first president of post-liberation Mozambique.
Aquino’s legacy lives on with this day being commemorated annually by Graça Machel, widow of both Samora Machel and later, the first South African president, Nelson Mandela.
Aquino was an important figure in the liberation struggles of Mozambique, Angola, Guinea-Bissau, Cape Verde and many other African countries, including Morocco, Algeria, Zimbabwe and South Africa.
As Samora Machel’s special envoy to Lisbon, Aquino played a key role in negotiating Mozambique’s independence.
This lesser-known historical episode is explored in the documentary, Special Envoy.
As Samora Machel’s special envoy to Lisbon, Aquino played a key role in negotiating Mozambique’s independence. This lesser-known historical episode is explored in the documentary, Special Envoy.
Following Mozambique’s independence, Aquino helped establish the Centro de Estudos Africanos (CEA) at Eduardo Mondlane University, a center that continues to this day.
Together with South African activist, Ruth First, he fostered critical thinking and academic independence, resisting dogmatic thinking. Their work aimed at rebuilding a post-colonial Mozambique, while also addressing the threats posed by apartheid South Africa.
REMEMBERING AQUINO
Today, a street in Maputo bears Aquino’s name, and in 2013, he was posthumously awarded a doctorate Honoris Causa by the University of Eduardo Mondlane.
In 2017, Silvia organised an exhibition at Yolanda’s Art Gallery, Calangute, in memory of Aquino.
A street in Maputo bears Aquino’s name, and in 2013, he was posthumously awarded a doctorate Honoris Causa by the University of Eduardo Mondlane.
Seven years later, Goa University is hosting this event, not only to mark Aquino’s birth centenary, but also to remember Silvia, who passed away during the COVID-19 pandemic.
DETAILS
WHAT: Centenary celebrations of Aquino de Bragança
WHERE: Conference Hall, Administration Building, Goa University, Taleigao Plateau, North Goa
WHEN: Wednesday, October 30, 2024
TIMINGS: 9.30 am to 1.30 pm