Cultural struggles in the lusofonia arena: Portuguese-speaking migrant musicians in Lisbon

• Main Author: Vanspauwen, Bart P.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Gents Afrika Platform, Afrika Brug 2013-06-01
• Series: Afrika Focus
• Subjects: Lusofonia; Portugal; migrant musicians; cultural policy; postcolonialism
• Online Access: http://www.gap.ugent.be/africafocus/pdf/2013vol26nr1_Vanspauwen.pdf

Approaching music as a point of social connection in the post-colonial city of Lisbon; wherecultural entrepreneurs deploy the political concept of lusofonia; this study examines the ways inwhich local migrant musicians from Portuguese-speaking African countries (PALOP); as well asBrazil and East Timor; position themselves in this context. In general; the study shows that thereis a lack of recognition of the contribution they make to the expressive culture of the Portuguesecapital; and this is related to national preconceptions. Surprisingly; despite several existing counter-discourses regarding lusofonia; all interviewed musicians do see some future relevance in thisconcept. They appeal to both supranational institutions and national governments; asking forstructural support in order to promote and disseminate all the expressive culture of PortuguesespeakingAfrican countries; indicating that the contribution of migrant musicians from thesecountries should be considered as an integral part of Portugal’s cultural expression and heritage.