The official independence celebration was going to be held over four or five days, and a group of journalists from all over the world was allowed to fly in, because Angola was closed otherwise.

In this quote, Ryszard Kapuściński reflects on the circumstances surrounding the independence celebration in Angola. He notes that the official festivities were scheduled to last for four or five days, and during this time, a group of journalists from around the world was invited to attend. However, he emphasizes that Angola was closed to international visitors outside of this brief window, suggesting that the country's political situation was tightly controlled, and access to the nation was restricted during this period.

The origin of this statement is rooted in Kapuściński’s experience as a journalist, especially during his extensive coverage of post-colonial African nations. Angola gained independence from Portugal in 1975, after a long and bloody struggle. The period following Angola's independence was marked by political upheaval and civil war, which made the country’s external relations highly controlled. Kapuściński’s observation highlights the closed-off nature of the country during this time, where international access was only granted for the official celebration of national sovereignty.

Kapuściński’s description sheds light on the contrast between the celebration of independence and the political realities of the country. While Angola officially celebrated its newfound freedom, the fact that the country was essentially "closed" to outsiders for the majority of the time hints at the restrictions on civil liberties and the ongoing internal struggles. This situation illustrates the tension between national pride and the more repressive political environment that followed Angola’s independence.

The quote ultimately reflects Kapuściński's broader perspective on the complexities of independence in post-colonial nations. It underscores the contradictions that often accompany the celebration of sovereignty, where outward symbols of freedom coexist with the internal challenges of establishing stable governance and maintaining control over a newly independent nation.