Cape Verde named African Capital of Culture for 2028, showcasing its musical traditions

Cape Verde, the West African archipelago, has been named the African Capital of Culture for 2028, a designation that comes on the heels of the country hosting two international music festivals in April, according to NPR.

NPR's report described music as interwoven with the sounds of daily life in the island nation, highlighting three genres — morna, samba, and jazz — as representative of the cultural landscape visitors and residents encounter.

Morna is the genre most closely associated with Cape Verdean national identity; it was added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2019 and is historically associated with the late singer Cesária Évora, who brought the style to international audiences. The African Capital of Culture designation is expected to draw further attention to the country's cultural exports and tourism sector ahead of 2028.