City University of Macau and Macao publisher LITS recently published the bilingual textbook “Vozes das Ilhas: Canções de Cabo Verde” (“Voices of the Islands: Songs of Cabo Verde”). The book commemorates the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Cabo Verde and aims to strengthen cultural exchange between the two countries.

The textbook was written by Zhou Jiayuan, a lecturer at the university’s Institute for Research on Portuguese-speaking Countries (IROPC), and Zerbo Freire, a doctoral student and teaching and research assistant at the University of Macau.

With financial support from the Education Fund of the Macao Special Administrative Region, the book is intended for Chinese university students learning Portuguese at B1 and B2 levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

According to the press release, the textbook uses the analysis of ten traditional Cabo Verdean songs to introduce vocabulary, grammar exercises and reading comprehension activities. It also includes an introduction to Cabo Verde’s geography, history, sociolinguistics, music and literature.

The interdisciplinary approach combines language, music and politics, exploring traditional Cabo Verdean musical forms such as morna, batuku and funaná. Through works by composers including Manuel d’Novas, B. Léza and Eugénio Tavares, the textbook seeks to deepen students’ understanding of Cabo Verdean vocal poetry, history and cultural identity.

(Source: Ponto Final, 29 October)