Lubango — Districts of southern Huíla province this Thursday started selecting the representatives to the provincial phase of the Angolan "Variante 2008" popular music contest.

According to the head of the local Culture Department, Maria Marcelina Gomes, on an interview to ANGOP, the province's14 districts should select by next week, since the provincial phase will begin on October 15.

The official said that technical and administrative conditions for the contest have already been created, including the prizes for the top three singers.

The provincial competition will bring together 19 candidates, seven from Lubango city, provincial capital.

Criteria for assessing the referred contest will be based on the best lyric, melody and clothing.

To happen under the motto: "Culture strengthens the nation, giving value to the national artistic creation in the music field".

The winner will represent Huíla province in the national "Variante 2008" music contest, set for November 01, in northern Malanje province.

Musician Estivie Correia Victor won the 2007 edition of the contest with the song interpreted in the Nyaneka-Humbi vernacular language entitled "Okununga ó Macau".