Ondjaki was born in Luanda, Angola, in 1977. He has written poetry, children’s books, short stories, novels, playwrights and film scripts. He has won major literary awards and his books have been translated into more than a dozen languages.

 With a writing career spanning for two decades Ondjaki is the most prominent African writer of Portuguese from generations born after Portugal’s former colonies achieved independence in 1975.

Ondjaki’s latest book published in the UK is the award-winning Transparent City (translated by Stephen Henighan Europa editions UK 2021). Transparent City is a book set in Luanda,  through the life of the many people who inhabit a residential building Ondjaki depicts different perspectives of modern, capitalist, post-war Luanda.    

Ondjaki recently opened the bookshop Kiela Livraria in Luanda, started a publishing house, wrote and directed the film The Kitchen.  

Sound engineer: Oscar Perez.