Kimpa Vita's Exploration of Afrofuturism and Personal Perspective
The Africologne Festival, a nationwide important platform for African artists, is set to begin in Cologne, Germany, with a new artistic direction under the leadership of Kerstin Ortmeier and Marie Deuflhard. This year's festival promises an exciting lineup of performances, workshops, and discussions, bringing African artists to the heart of Cologne.
One of the highlights of the festival is the rock-infused production about Kimpa Vita, a visionary figure in African history, by choreographer DeLaVallet Bidiefono. Known for creating powerful and visually striking productions, Bidiefono's work offers a contemporary interpretation of Kimpa Vita's story, a 18th-century Congolese prophetess who played a significant role in the resistance against the Portuguese and the Catholic Church, advocating for the rights of women and the indigenous population.
DeLaVallet Bidiefono's production is not just a tribute to Kimpa Vita's legacy but also an artistic exploration of themes such as resistance, empowerment, and cultural heritage. The energetic performance is a must-see for festival-goers seeking a unique blend of dance, music, and storytelling.
The festival program also includes other captivating performances such as "African Party" by Oulouy and Supa Rich Kids, an afro-futuristic urban dance piece that combines street dance, pantomime, and performance. The first Africologne Festival was held in 2011 at the Theater im Bauturm, and since then, it has grown into a significant platform for African artists.
In addition to the main performances, the festival offers a variety of workshops, discussions, and special events. The Open Stage for ages 10 and up is a space for young people to apply with their own short piece to perform on a small stage in the courtyard of the Alte Feuerwache. A new format called Africologne Local has been developed, specifically targeting BIPoCs from Cologne and the surrounding area.
The festival will take place at various venues across the city, including the Alte Feuerwache, Rautenstrauch-Joest-Museum, Depot in Mülheim, TanzFaktur, King Georg, and a city tour by Decolonize Cologne. One of the most anticipated performances will be Dorcy Rugamba's solo performance "Hewa Rwanda", processing the murder of his family during the genocide in Rwanda.
Marie Deuflhard, one of the new artistic directors, explains that the aim of Africologne is to create a wide range of content and aesthetics to bring different stories to the stage and amplify diverse voices. The festival's inception was influenced by key figures in the Cologne cultural scene, such as Gerhardt Haag and Étienne Minoungou, whom Haag met during a trip to Burkina Faso.
With its diverse lineup of performances, workshops, and discussions, the Africologne Festival promises to be an enriching and thought-provoking event for all who attend. The festival runs from [insert dates] and tickets can be purchased online or at the venues. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to experience the richness and diversity of African arts and culture in Cologne.
[1] https://www.theaterderzeit.de/de/traces-anthology-18-african-contemporary-theatre-texts [2] https://www.deutschlandfunkkultur.de/africologne-ein-festival-fuer-afrikanische-kultur-in-koeln.1089.de.html
"Visitors at the Africologne Festival can expect not only riveting performances like DeLaVallet Bidiefono's rock-infused production about Kimpa Vita but also engaging workshops and discussions that explore themes such as resistance, empowerment, and cultural heritage. While enjoying these events, music enthusiasts might stumble across 'African Party' by Oulouy and Supa Rich Kids, a unique blend of street dance, pantomime, and performance."
"In addition to the mainstage performances, festival-goers can delve deeper into African arts and culture through events like the Open Stage for young performers and the new format Africologne Local, specifically designed for BIPoCs from Cologne and the surrounding area. These events, held across various venues in the city, offer a platform for diverse voices to be heard and showcase the richness and diversity of African arts."
