10th Lusofonia Awards Gala Honors Leaders Across CPLP Nations
The 10th Lusofonia Awards Gala will light up Casino Estoril this Saturday, celebrating a decade of excellence by honoring influential figures from every corner of the Portuguese-speaking world. This year’s ceremony coincides with the 30th anniversary of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP), marking a historic milestone for the international organization.
A Tribute to Global Leaders
Organized by the International Association of Portuguese Language Communities (CLPI) in partnership with the CPLP and the Cascais City Council, the gala aims to recognize individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to their professional fields and the broader Lusophone community. For this landmark edition, organizers ensured that all nine CPLP member states were represented among the winners, while also maintaining strict gender parity.
Former President of São Tomé and Príncipe, Manuel Pinto da Costa, will receive the prestigious Career Award. The Lusophone Excellence category will feature powerful tributes, including a posthumous honor for former East Timorese President Francisco Guterres, who passed away earlier this year. Other high-profile honorees include Angola’s First Lady, Ana Dias Lourenço, and renowned Mozambican activist Graça Machel, who is being recognized for her lifelong commitment to human rights.
Celebrating Culture, Arts, and Sport
The awards span a diverse array of sectors, highlighting the cultural richness of the Portuguese-speaking world. In literature, celebrated Angolan author Artur Pestana dos Santos, better known as Pepetela, will be honored. The Theater and Cinema award goes to Gorsy Edú of Equatorial Guinea, while the World Music prize will be presented to Cape Verdean singer Mayra Andrade.
In the world of sports, the gala will recognize beach soccer legend João “Madjer” Saraiva. Though born in Angola, Madjer moved to Portugal as an infant and became one of the most decorated players in the history of the sport. Fashion and Styling honors will go to Guinea-Bissau’s Cristina Martins Grant.
Diplomacy, Media, and Special Recognitions
The business and professional sectors are also well-represented. Portugal’s Association of Wood and Furniture Industries (AIMMP) took home the business prize, while Portuguese journalist Nuno Sardinha was recognized for his work in Media. The Lusophone Diplomacy Award will be presented to Brazilian diplomat Gonçalo Mello Mourão.
Special Lusofonia Awards for leadership and citizenship will be granted to:
- Vera Duarte Pina: Cape Verdean judge and writer (Citizenship)
- Ilza Amado Vaz: Minister of Foreign Affairs of São Tomé and Príncipe
- Carolina Cerqueira: Former Minister of Media, Culture, and Social Affairs of Angola
The evening promises to be a cultural spectacle, featuring performances by Portuguese pop icon and event patron José Cid, tenor Filipe De Moura, and oriental dancer Cris Aysel. The CPLP includes Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Mozambique, Portugal, São Tomé and Príncipe, and East Timor.
Image: Pexels – Russell Butcher
