Five decades of independence mark centuries of history, music and resistance. To celebrate this milestone, Acácia Maior and Nancy Vieira have prepared a project where Cape Verdean music becomes a bridge between the past and the future. An evening of friendship, identity and emotion.

More than a concert, this will be a lively celebration of the 50th anniversary of Cape Verde's Independence, a moment of homage and cultural affirmation, where music unites generations, intertwines stories and strengthens identities.

On stage, the elegance and depth of Nancy's voice meets the creative energy of Acácia Maior, in a trio show that reflects not only the richness of Cape Verde's musical heritage, but also the artists' deep friendship and respect.

The invitation came from Henrique Silva and Luís Firmino, inspired by the artistic and personal complicity built up over the years, and the previous collaboration which resulted in 'Nôve Krêtxeu', a theme on Nancy Vieira's most recent album, 'Gente'. The challenge now is more daring: to explore little-known themes from the Cape Verdean songbook, reinterpret them with innovative arrangements and relate them to each other's repertoire, always with Cape Verdeanness, independence and national sovereignty as a backdrop.

Among the themes chosen is a new version of 'Nôve Krêtxeu', emblematic compositions by both, as well as songs that marked the liberation movement. Classics by Manel D'Novas, Chico Serra, Nhô Balta (Baltazar Lima Barros) and Paulino Vieira are reinterpreted, with arrangements that respect tradition but introduce new and refreshing styles.

The daughter of liberation fighters from Cape Verde and Guinea-Bissau, Nancy Vieira soon became interested in music in the effervescent cultural environment of São Vicente, where she absorbed diverse influences from fado, samba and blues, with morna being her great inspiration. 

From the beginning of his career, he drank from the generosity of older Cape Verdean musicians and, today, he sees that same heritage now mirrored in two talented contemporary musicians: Luís Firmino and Henrique Silva, from Acácia Maior.

In his own words, he says, “I had the privilege, the good fortune, the honor, from the first album I recorded at the age of 18, to have veterans of Cape Verdean music, instrumentalists I admired greatly, who played with my idols and inspired me to sing mornas and coladeiras. I've seen and felt a lot of these veterans in two thirty-year-old boys, boys of today, who are inspired by these veterans, pioneers of traditional music, who in their work bring sounds and colors from this time, the time of Luís Firmino and Henrique Silva, without forgetting what is their essence and their identity.”

Acácia Maior, for their part, represents a new generation of children of the revolution. A duo that declares itself independent and makes Cape Verdean music free of ties. Having always admired Nancy Vieira, they have followed her work and been inspired by her authenticity and trajectory. They don't hesitate to say that “Nancy is a great inspiration to us. Working with her, especially at such a symbolic moment, is an honor. This collaboration is about continuing to develop beautiful synergies and, above all, celebrating friendship and love for our music.”

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