José Freire
1975, 25th of June 1975, Independence of Mozambique
Two-colour offset lithograph, DNPP, Maputo
Issued to celebrate Mozambique’s independence day, this poster represents the revolution as a peaceful sunrise that allows peasants to work freely on the land, and a soldier, still holding his gun, to concentrate on studying rather than fighting. The lab flasks and cog wheel signal the promise of science, technology and universal medical care, and the jubilant crowd wave placards to declare ‘Long Live Frelimo’ and ‘The Struggle Continues’. José Freire was also responsible for designing the uniforms, banners and emblems for the independence ceremony, and for organising the street decorations in Maputo, the renamed capital city.
