Translated from Portuguese. The Portuguese version prevails. Ler em português
Next Tuesday, 17 June 2025, the Constitutional Court celebrates 17 years since its institutionalisation in 2008. To mark the date, the Court has prepared a set of initiatives of a legal-constitutional, academic and cultural nature, with the aim of celebrating the anniversary in a fitting manner, reflecting on Angola's historical and constitutional periods and paying a valuable tribute to the 50 years of National Independence.
INAUGURATION OF THE GALLERY OF ANGOLAN CONSTITUTIONALISM
One of the central moments of the Constitutional Court Day celebrations will be the inauguration of the Gallery of Angolan Constitutionalism, an exhibition space of around 385 square metres located in the Palace of Justice. The Gallery will allow visitors to journey through the various landmark periods of Angola's Constitutional History, namely the period preceding National Independence, from the Alvor Agreements to the Fundamental Law of Angola, as well as the period between the single-party system and the transition to a multi-party system, while also covering the period of consolidation of the democratic State governed by the rule of law. The Gallery will also serve as a space to pay tribute to the main protagonists of the country's Constitutional History.
SPECIAL EDITION OF "ONDJANGO DA CONSTITUIÇÃO"
Also on 17 June, the Palace of Justice Auditorium will host a special edition of “ONDJANGO DA CONSTITUIÇÃO” (a community forum on the Constitution), a space for debate and reflection on fundamental rights, freedoms and guarantees.
For this edition, dedicated to 50 Years of Angolan Constitutionalism, Professor Carlos Feijó, acting as moderator, will lead a pleasant and relaxed conversation with important figures who have shaped the history of Angolan constitutionalism, namely Bornito de Sousa, former Vice-President of the Republic of Angola; the constitutional scholar Rui Ferreira, retired President of the Constitutional Court; the jurist Fernando Oliveira; Member of the National Assembly Silvestre Samy; retired Justice of the Constitutional Court Imaculada Melo; the academic José Lopes Semedo; and his fellow academic Claúdio Silva.
LAUNCH OF THE THIRD EDITION OF THE JOURNAL A GUARDIÃ
The day's programme will also include the launch of the 3rd Edition of the academic journal “A Guardiã”, a compendium of more than 500 pages published with the aim of promoting knowledge on various matters of a legal and constitutional nature.
With a print run of 800 copies, this edition brings together articles of a technical and scientific nature by distinguished national and international jurists and academics, such as Carlos Burity da Silva, Carlos Feijó, Suslândia Silva, Fernando Oliveira, João Pinto, Jorge Bacelar Gouveia, Julia Ferreira, Imaculada Melo, Adalberto Luacuti, Francisco Queiroz, Celmira Matana, Herminio Rodrigues, Albano Macie, Luzia Sebastião and Onofre dos Santos.
BOOK FAIR
Also as part of the celebrations, the Feira do Livro 50 Anos do Constitucionalismo Angolano (50 Years of Angolan Constitutionalism Book Fair) is scheduled to take place, with the aim of promoting reflection on the evolution of democratic institutions under the rule of law and on the role of the Constitution in society, as well as encouraging reading and the dissemination of legal and historical works.
For 30 days, in the courtyard of the Palace of Justice, visitors will have access to a vast display of literary material from various fields of knowledge, exhibited by the various bookshops and publishers invited for the occasion.
The Constitutional Court Day celebrations will begin on 17 June 2025 (Tuesday) at 9.30 am at the Palace of Justice in Luanda, and will be attended by senior State figures, including representatives of the Legislative, Judicial and Executive branches.
Constitutional Court, Luanda, 15 June 2025.