For two days, Saturday November 16 and Sunday November 17, the capital of North Kivu hosted the Amani festival, the 10th anniversary of which was celebrated this year. First canceled, then finally authorized at the last minute by the authorities, this major event in the sub-region was staged in one night to offer a break dedicated to music, celebration and sharing. This to the inhabitants of a province where tensions are multiple.
2 mins
With our special correspondent in Goma, Guillaume Thibault
“ Undo a cancellation »: this was the starting point of this 10th edition of the Amani festival which closed on Sunday November 17 with the rumba star Ferre Gola. This after two days of concerts and meetings, in Goma, in the east of the DRC. Authorized at the last minute after having been, initially, canceledthe event quickly transformed into an extraordinary adventure from the moment it was announced. It galvanized an entire team and all the people of Goma, especially since the artists also responded.
This is for example the case of Voldie Mapenzi, who performed on Sunday November 18 in a packed venue. “ We are not aware that, sometimes,Music is louder than politics! “, launched the artist, as if echoing the performance of the choir of Requiem for Peace, which brought together singers from Goma, Bukavu and the refugee camps a little earlier on stage. An artistic choice in the land of rumba to send a strong message to those who suffer: “ It is a great emotion to commune directly with the public. It was really important, extraordinary », rejoiced Juré Sponssafiri who directs the choir.
“ See you again in 10 years! »
While the holding of this edition of the Amani festival is almost a miracle, its director Guillaume Bisimwa is already looking towards the future: “ The construction and development of this country requires unity. When everyone is together, we can change, we can transform borders. The only message I see today in this event is its strength. Everyone contributed their part and that’s what made it a success. “, he said.
Coming from Kinshasa to represent the President of the Republic and to support the festival, the Minister of Culture Yolande Elebe Ma Ndembo also wants to see further. “I know how difficult it is sometimes to organize the Amani Festival. So I absolutely wanted to be there to encourage its members and congratulate them, wish them good luck. See you again in 10 years! “, she declared.
Also readDRC: opening in Goma of the Amani music festival, “peace”, in Swahili