The Maputo Peace Concert is set to take place on 3 October 2026 at 6:30 p.m. at the Cine-Teatro Scala in Maputo. This event marks a significant milestone in the relationship between Italy and Mozambique, as it commemorates the 30th anniversary of the 1992 General Peace Accords. The accords, signed in Rome, brought an end to Mozambique's civil war.
The concert is being organised by Italy's Embassy in Maputo as part of Mozita 2026, a cultural programme launched in 2025. The event features a collaboration between Italian and Mozambican musicians, including the Luigi Boccherini Conservatory of Lucca and Mozambique's Xiqitsi orchestra and choir. Italian conductor and composer Girolamo Deraco will lead the visiting ensemble, while Mozambican conductor Eldevina Materula will direct Xiqitsi.
The concert programme includes a blend of Italian opera arias, orchestral works, and new compositions. The centrepiece of the evening is the world premiere of "United We Sing," composed by Deraco specifically for Mozambique and peace, with lyrics by Eyal Lerner. The programme also features Deraco's "Nubes sunt pulchrae," with text by Alessandro J. Bianchi, which marks the 800th anniversary of the death of Saint Francis of Assisi, Italy's patron saint, in 1226.
In addition to "United We Sing" and "Nubes sunt pulchrae," the concert includes a second world premiere by composer Gabriele Marchetti. Marchetti's piece was written for the Xiqitsi orchestra after he won an internal competition within Deraco's composition class at the Boccherini Conservatory. This commission provides emerging Italian talent with a direct link to Mozambique's cultural institutions.
The significance of the Maputo Peace Concert extends beyond the event itself, as it highlights the strong cultural cooperation between Italy and Mozambique. Since the Rome accords, cultural diplomacy has been a consistent thread in the bilateral relationship. According to one analyst, "Cultural diplomacy of this kind builds the institutional familiarity that serious bilateral investment relationships require over time."
The Mozita 2026 framework signals Italy's sustained commitment to Mozambique. By using arts programming, Italy is maintaining visibility in Mozambique at a moment when the country is rebuilding political stability and attracting renewed infrastructure interest. This concert demonstrates that Italy views Mozambique as a long-term partner, rather than merely a recipient of periodic aid.
The Maputo Peace Concert offers free admission and is open to the public, making it accessible to a wide audience. This approach reinforces the concert's message of shared civic remembrance and broadens its impact. As a cultural event, it has the potential to foster greater understanding and cooperation between Italy and Mozambique, and its legacy may be seen in future collaborations and partnerships.
Key points
- The concert marks the 30th anniversary of the 1992 General Peace Accords, which ended Mozambique's civil war.
- The event features a collaboration between Italian and Mozambican musicians, including the Luigi Boccherini Conservatory of Lucca and Mozambique's Xiqitsi orchestra and choir.
- The concert is part of Mozita 2026, a cultural programme launched in 2025, which signals Italy's sustained commitment to Mozambique.
