Luanda – The University of International Studies of Rome (UNINT) on Thursday, in the city of Rome, awarded an honorary doctorate to the writer Maria Eugénia Neto for her defence of multilingualism in Angola and the protection of cultural minorities.
According to a press release from the Angolan Embassy Press Service in Italy, the award to Maria Eugénia Neto, who is a widow of Angola's first president, António Agostinho Neto, is also the result of her desire to promote her language and culture abroad.
The recognition was made during the ceremony for the start of the 2023/2024 academic year, an occasion used to announce the opening of the studies on "Maria Eugénia Neto" which, together with the studies on Agostinho Neto, will form part of the Portuguese language studies programme at the University of International Studies in Rome.
While awarding the title of the institution, the Rector Mariagrazia Russo emphasized the fact that the two cathedratic subjects also serve to promote Angolan culture.
At the time, a cooperation agreement was also signed between the Agostinho Neto Foundation and the University of International Studies in Rome, with the main objective to promote culture, science and higher education, through research and teaching activities.
On her turn, Maria Eugénia Neto expressed her pride for seeing her name linked to a prestigious institution and summarised the reasons that led her to this award, based on the fact that she had been very present in Agostinho Neto's life.
To her, Italy understood Agostinho Neto's message of freedom and faith which, through his poem "consciencialização" (conscientisation), he called for the observance of the sacred principles of humanity, such as peace, justice, freedom and love of neighbour, which are no longer practised around the world today.
On her turn, ambassador Fátima Jardim thanked the University of International Studies in Rome for its gesture, in particular the commitment of its rector to publicising Angolan culture and recognising the support at all levels given by Maria Eugénia Neto to Angola's first and late president António Agostinho Neto.
Angola 's ambassador to the Holy See, Carlos Fonseca, recalled the role played by Maria Eugénia Neto in publicising Neto' s legacy, as well as her contribution to Angolan literature.
However, students and teachers are also hopeful that the life and work of Agostinho Neto and the culture of the Angolan people will continue to be published in Italy.
The tribute was attended by Angola's ambassador to Italy, Maria de Fátima Jardim, as well as the country's ambassador to the Vatican, Carlos Fonseca, diplomats from Portuguese-speaking countries, members of the university's governing body, including the chairman of the board, Maurizio Finicelli, the vice-chairman, Fabio Bisogni, and the rector Mariagrazia Russo.
OHA/MRA/jmc
