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Inaugural FESTIVAL INTERNACIONAL DE JAZZ DE INHAMBANE to bring music, culture and tourism together in Vilankulo, Inhambane, Mozambique
Taking place from 5–7 November 2026, the festival aims to celebrate musical excellence, stimulate the local economy and raise the international profile of Inhambane Province. VILANKULO, MOZAMBIQUE, October 2026 — The Moreira Chonguiça Foundation, in partnership with...
Inaugural FESTIVAL INTERNACIONAL DE JAZZ DE INHAMBANE to bring music, culture and tourism together in Vilankulo, Inhambane, Mozambique
Taking place from 5–7 November 2026, the festival aims to celebrate musical excellence, stimulate the local economy and raise the international profile of Inhambane Province.
VILANKULO, MOZAMBIQUE, October 2026 — The Moreira Chonguiça Foundation, in partnership with the Inhambane Provincial Executive Council (Office of the Governor), has officially launched the inaugural Festival Internacional de Jazz de Inhambane, which will take place at Hotel Águia Negra in Vilankulo from 5 to 7 November 2026.
Under the executive and artistic direction of acclaimed Mozambican musician, saxophonist and ethnomusicologist Moreira Chonguiça, the festival will bring together Mozambican and international artists in a celebration of music, cultural exchange and the tourism potential of Vilankulo and Inhambane Province.
Festival details
- Event: Festival Internacional de Jazz de Inhambane — inaugural edition
- Dates: 5, 6 and 7 November 2026
- Venue: Hotel Águia Negra, Vilankulo, Inhambane Province, Mozambique
- Executive and Artistic Director: Moreira Chonguiça
- Organisers: Moreira Chonguiça Foundation, in partnership with the Inhambane Provincial Executive Council (Office of the Governor)
The official launch took place on 23 October 2026 at Hotel Águia Negra, bringing together representatives of the provincial government, festival partners and members of the artistic community. Artists announced for the launch included renowned Congolese musician Lokua Kanza, Jimmy Dludlu, Rui Mbande, leader of Timbila Groove and son of the iconic timbila musician Venâncio Mbande, and Professor Orlando da Conceição, known as the father of the saxophone in Mozambique.
Music as a driver of tourism and development
Speaking at the launch ceremony, Benilde Macuamule, representing the Governor of Inhambane Province, highlighted the festival’s role in recognising music as an important instrument for tourism promotion and local development.
She emphasised that music extends beyond entertainment: it can promote destinations, connect cultures and create opportunities for the local economy.
With Vilankulo also set to welcome the second edition of the Tourism Summit and the Golf Summit during the same period, the festival forms part of a broader opportunity to showcase the region’s cultural richness and visitor experiences.
Macuamule stressed the importance of coordinating these events to maximise their benefits. She also called on artists, businesses and the wider community to prepare to welcome visitors with the warmth and hospitality for which the region is known.
A platform for cultural exchange
The Festival Internacional de Jazz de Inhambane aims to strengthen Vilankulo’s artistic and cultural profile while creating a platform for exchange between Mozambican and international musicians.
By bringing live performance into the wider tourism programme, the organisers seek to encourage visitors to experience the destination through its music, people and cultural heritage.
The festival is expected to support income-generating opportunities for local families and businesses, stimulate economic activity and contribute to greater international awareness of Vilankulo and Inhambane Province.
About
Moreira Chonguiça stands at the powerful intersection of music, cultural engagement, and diplomacy. As a global artist rooted in jazz and Mozambican culture, he leverages the arts as a catalyst for social transformation and international dialogue.
Through his global presence and collaborations, Chonguiça fosters cultural exchange, mutual understanding, and unity across borders. His work transcends performance, positioning him as a leading advocate for cultural diplomacy and a compelling voice for Africa on the world stage.
Over the years, he has matured into one of Africa’s foremost exponents of Jazz from Africa — a sound rooted in African jazz traditions yet globally resonant. His evolving musical language invites a broader definition, often described as Afro World Jazz, reflecting a style that bridges heritage, innovation, and contemporary global influences.
As noted by the late Eric Alan of All Jazz Radio:
“Moreira has taken his journey, along with his collaborators, to the world and proves that he is a leader and an innovator in the ever-expanding and growing world of jazz music.”
By bridging cultures through music, Chonguiça amplifies the role of the arts as a tool for peacebuilding, dialogue, and shared human connection.
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Philanthropy
Moreira Chonguiça has always believed that for him to grow as a person and a musician it is essential to give back and he does that in abundance. He gives of his time, influence and status to highlight and bring awareness to the areas he is passionate about, namely education, youth development and cultural tourism.
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