For the first time, Muziekpublique and ICTM Belgium organise a cycle of introduction sessions to musical traditions from various cultures. Each session will be devoted to a single style, repertoire, or place and presented by specialists from the worlds of art, research or enthusiasts music lovers. We wish to bring together a plurality of voices, views and sensibilities to discuss music around the world, addressing topics such as its performance contexts, the conditions of its existence, and the events that have marked its history.

In a friendly atmosphere, seated around the tables in the Foyer of the Molière Theater, the audience will participate in a presentation prepared by the speaker, which will be interspersed by moments of exchange

In this first introductory session to musical traditions Klay Mawungu and Bambi Ceuppens will approach the Congolese Rumba. The session will primarily be held in French, but the speakers can also translate them into English, if that is more convenient for the participants.

During the colonial period, the Congolese music that evolves in Leopoldville, capital of the Belgian Congo, is at the heart a new urban culture that combines Congolese multiculturalism with elements from foreign cultures.  In this hard, enslaving context, Congolese music will serve as an outlet, a way to make demands, create awareness and consciousness to strive for liberty.

Congolese Rumba will become a musical style of its own. The subject of its music is mainly the way of life of the Congolese people. It has, therefore, a true Congolese identity.  Starting with Wendo Kolosoy, up to the present generation, musicians of great quality have created an international music that makes all of Africa dance and is constantly conquering the world.

After Bambi Ceuppens contextualizes the colonial and postcolonial eras, from the ‘40’s to the ‘70’s, Klay Mawungu will portray the emblematic musicians, the musical currents and the diverse influences during the same period.

Bambi Ceuppens has a doctorate in Social Anthropology. She works as a researcher and a curator at the Royal Museum of Central African Arts, in Belgium. Part of her research is centered on the colonial Belgian-Congolese past, on Congolese art and culture, including modern Congolese music.

Klay Mawungu is a cultural entrepreneur who organizes and animates conferences and courses about the Congolese Rumba. He’s been active in the production and organization of Congolese Rumba concerts since 2008. He’s worked in partnership with Bozar and the Royal Central African Museum in this domain. Klay also composes, writes lyrics and sings Congolese Rumba.

Timetable & PROGRAMME of the 6 SESSION cycle

• 21/10/2021 : Klay Mawungu & Bambi Ceuppens – Congolese Rumba Music
• 18/11/2021 : Osvaldo Hernandez – Music in Hispanic America
• 16/12/2021 : Hélène Sechehaye – Popular Music in Morocco
• ??/??/2022 : Hubert Boone – Music in Belgium
• 10/03/2022 : Nicholas Cooper – Irish Traditional Music
• 05/05/2022 : Anaïs Verhulst – Karnatak Music (South Indian classical music)

Price for the complete six-session cycle: 40€ (or 25€ for Muziekpublique members). Price per session: 8€ (or 6€ for members.)

A Muziekpublique & ICTM Belgium initiative, in collaboration with Afrika Museum.

Price per evening: 6€ member / 8€ non-member

Price for the complete cycle (6 sessions): 25€ member / 40€ non-member