Festival Amani

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Festival Amani
StatusActive
GenreCongolese rumba
ndombolo
Soukous
African music
Congolese music
World music
Date(s)February
FrequencyAnnually
Location(s)Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Years active2013–present
Inaugurated2013
FounderÉric de Lamotte[1][2]
Attendance35000+
General DirectorGuillaume Bisimwa[3][4]
Websiteamanifestival.com
Bintou Keita at the Amani Festival in 2022

The Festival Amani is an annual festival that takes place in the context of peacebuilding in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Great Lakes region.[5][6] Amani is the Swahili word for Peace.[7][6][8]

Description[edit]

The Festival Amani is held annually in Goma, a town near the border between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.[9] The festival hosts Music, Dancer, Comedies and other talented artists in Goma.[10] The festival is held annually and lasts for 3 days in February of each year.[11] The festival's name comes from the Swahili word for "peace"[12] and it celebrates that Congolese rumba was included in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists.[13]

Organization[edit]

The festival is managed by a dedicated team of permanent employees and volunteers, who work throughout the year to ensure its success.[14] They engage in extensive preparation and training, studying other festivals and gaining backstage access to events like the Esperanzah! festival in Belgium. Three months before the festival, a team of volunteer leaders joins them to coordinate the logistical aspects of the event. Then, 600 volunteers come on board to ensure the smooth execution of the three-day celebration.[14]  

Activities[edit]

To promote community engagement and support local talent, various activities are organized leading up to the festival:[14][15]

Sanaa Weekends: These events, held at the Foyer Culturel de Goma, provide a platform for artistic promotion, featuring singers, dancers, musicians, acrobats, and more performing in front of audiences ranging from 3,000 to 5,000 people every Saturday.[14][15] Over 200 musical artists and traditional/modern dancers participate, hoping to be selected to perform at the Amani Festival.[14][15]

Caravanes (street concerts): Organized with selected dancers and musicians, these caravans travel through the city's neighborhoods with selected dancers and musicians, introducing local artists to the population and raising awareness about peace and the festival.[14][15] Artists engage with the community, spreading joy and promoting cultural values.[14][15]

Young Entrepreneurs Competition: This competition focuses on business creation projects with a strong social impact for Goma.[14][15] It is open to all young people in the city and offers training opportunities and financial support to ten young entrepreneurs. Four of them receive a zero-rate loan of $1,350, a laptop, and support from the "Kivu Entrepreneurs" incubator for six months, aiming to encourage and support youth entrepreneurship.[14][15]

Projets artistiques: Financed by the Amani Festival and supervised by the Foyer Culturel de Goma, provide financial support to six local musicians with six artistic projects receiving a donation of $500 each.[14][15] Musicians from Goma, selected by the community and a jury, present their projects and receive coaching and funding for their realization. The progress and impact of projects launched in 2018 are continuously supervised, with success stories of supported youth shared on social media platforms and the festival's website.[14][15]

Amani FM[edit]

Amani FM radio, which broadcasts live on the Amani festival website and on Pôle Fm, a local radio station of Pole Institute, played a crucial role in connecting audiences with the essence of the festival.[16] Pole Institute, a non-profit organization engaged in conflict research in the Great Lakes region, provided a platform for Amani FM to amplify the festival's message of peace and cultural unity. The radio station offered a diverse array of content, including interviews, debates, and production of shows.[16]

Operating across four distinct broadcasts, each program encapsulated different facets of the Amani festival experience:[16]

  • News Live Music: A program dedicated to showcasing the talent of national, regional, and international artists.
  • Tulinde Mazingira: A program focused on environmental conservation.
  • Hakiba: A show dedicated to entrepreneurship.
  • All Together: A chronicle capturing the spirit of unity and collaboration at the festival.[16]

History[edit]

The idea of ​​organizing an extensive music and dance festival was initiated by the trainers and management of the Goma Cultural Center, colloquially known as Foyer Culturel de Goma whose aspiration was to foster peace, cultural appreciation, and harmonious coexistence within the region.[6] The festival was named Amani, which means "peace" in Swahili.[6][17] This idea germinated following the success of the Sanaa weekend, which is a platform dedicated to promoting and showcasing burgeoning talents such as musicians and actors from Goma, alongside artists trained at the Goma Cultural Center.[6]

Initially lacking experience or formal training in organizing such a large event that brings together more than 30,000 people, the trainers and youth cohorts from the Goma Cultural Center decided to make a first try and make it a great success.[6] With the help of the United Nations Volunteers, who provided technical and logistical support, and the United Nations Development Programme, which supported the event with $15,000 to provide transportation for the artists, as well as assistance from Belgian allies, notably Éric de Lamotte, the first edition was slated for August 30–31 and September 1.[6][18][19][20] However, due to prevailing security concerns in North Kivu, the event was postponed to February 2014, a decision taken in conjunction with local authorities.[18] On August 31, 2013, the scheduled performers, including Lexxus Legal, redirected their talents to a solidarity concert in Kinshasa, hosted at the Centre Wallonie-Bruxelles à Kinshasa, an offshoot of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, administered by Wallonia Brussels International (WBI).[6][21]

1st edition 2014[edit]

The festival's first edition was held from February 14 to 16, 2014, in Goma at the Kwa Kesho Bora Village. The event was complemented by the participation of 63 local and international non-governmental organizations and 400 volunteers.[22][6] Notable highlights included a masterclass conducted by Lokua Kanza.[6]

Mohombi at the Amani Festival in 2022

The festival presented a range of internationally recognized artists and native musicians like Lokua Kanza, Lexxus Legal, Innoss'B, Mani Martin, Tonton Lusambo, Fal-J, Jessica Kill, the Matakiyo group, Groupe Folk, Pinochet, Maraben, and Maguru.[6] Martin Kobler, the Special Representative and Head of MONUSCO, lauded the festival as a "soft force which, like water, can move much more than sometimes military force".[23]

2nd edition 2015[edit]

The 2015 second edition transpired February 13 to 15.[24] It drew an audience of 29,000 festival-goers and saw the participation of 70 local and international NGOs and 500 volunteers at the Kwa Kesho Bora Village.[6]

Notable artists at the event included: Tiken Jah Fakoly, Habib Koité, Bill Clinton Kalonji, Mani Martin, Mayaya, Junior Grigo, Lion Story, Willy Stone, Mista Faba, Grp Kistanga Tusti "Kahé" and many more.[6]

3rd edition 2016[edit]

The 2016 third edition commenced on February 12 and finished on February 14.[25][26][27] It garnered the attendance of 11,000 festival-goers and featured a program comprising 30 musical and dance ensembles, mentorship for ten burgeoning entrepreneurs, allocation of four grants, initiation of four enterprises in Goma, sponsorship for six artists to realize their creative endeavors, engagement of 80 innovative and associative organizations within the Kwa Kesho Bora village, facilitation of four artistic workshops, participation of 510 runners in the Ekiden, and mobilization of 400 dedicated volunteers.[6]

Notable artists at the event included: Nneka, Werrason, Ismaël Lô, Joel Sebunjo, Aly Keïta, Zao, Kode, Yvonne Mwale, Mista Poa, Sango'A, Angel Mutoni, JC Kibombo, Keren, New Young, Jazz Music, Intachogora, Black Man Bausi, Innoss'B, Matakiyo, Keyvoices, and Nsango Mbonda.[6][26][27]

4th edition 2017[edit]

The fourth edition began on February 10 and wrapped up on February 12 at the Maison Des Jeunes and College Mwanga campuses in Goma.[28][29][30][31] It attracted 34,000 festival-goers and showcased the talents of 23 singers and groups, while providing a platform for 17 traditional and modern dance ensembles and facilitating 70 exhibitors within the associative and entrepreneurial realms.[6] Additionally, the festival awarded 10 grants of $1,000 each to nurture artistic and entrepreneurial endeavors, while fostering camaraderie through a 42km marathon involving 250 athletes with the aim of creating team spirit and cohesion in businesses.[6]

Notable artists at the event included: Sauti Sol, Jean Goubald Kalala, Yewande Austin, Fabregas Le Métis Noir, Boddhi Satva, DJ Amaroula, Bolivar M'vulu, Franc Issa Le Rossignol, the Life Story Orchestra, Thomas Lusango, Robat King, Magic Pinokio, René Byamungu, Bolivar M'vulu, JKM, Kongoloko, Enrique Makas, Demba, and Mani Martin.[28][29][6]

5th edition 2018[edit]

The fifth edition commenced on February 9 and concluded on February 11 at College Mwanga in Goma.[32][33] Drawing approximately 35,500 attendees, the event featured performances by 30 musical artists, traditional and modern dance groups, and acrobats. It also engaged 730 volunteers representing 18 nationalities.[32][34] Notable features included ten workshops led by international artists for youth in Goma, 28 entrepreneur stands, and the selection of five homegrown artists from Goma to perform at the festival. Moreover, the fifth edition introduced two entrances to enhance accessibility for festival-goers.[32]

Notable artists at the event included: Ferré Gola, Dub Inc, Jupiter & Okwess, Maurice Kirya, Aganze Premier, Zao, Témé Tan, José Chameleone, BCUC, Yemba Voice, Ira Irene, Anderson Mukwe, Young B, Dj Damas, DJ USX, Dj Color, CED Koncept, Kerim Kaduro, and others.[35][6][36]

6th edition 2019[edit]

The 2019 Amani Festival's sixth edition kicked off on February 15 and closed on February 17 at Mwanga College.[37][38][39] It drew 36,000 festival-goers and featured 75 entrepreneurial and NGO stands, with 810 volunteers from 13 different nationalities.[6]

It boasted an eclectic lineup of artists: Fally Ipupa, Youssoupha, Baloji, Ruth Tafébé, Lady Jaydee, Alisheur Amouly, Joly Malonga, Nkento Bakaji, Alif Naaba, Mortal Combo, Yvan Buravan, Infrappa, Knowless, Gaël Faye, Dj Spilulu, DJ Alec Lomami, T- Saint Arrow, Kareyce Fotso, Nasfi Power, Life Song, Anick Michael, BCUC, La Monteska, among others.[6]

7th edition 2020[edit]

The 2020 seventh edition began on February 14 and wrapped on February 16 at Mwanga College.[40][41][42] Over 36,000 people attended in defiance of an increase in violence in the area.[6][41] The festival opened with a Congolese interpretation of Mozart's Requiem. M'bilia Bel was one of the headline performers and she include hits "Mpeve ya Longo" and "Yamba Nga".[43]

Some of the artists in attendance included: Faada Freddy, M'bilia Bel, Didier Awadi, Professor Jay, Innoss'B, Dobet Gnahoré, Gaz Mawete, Euforquestra, Céline Banza, Serge Cappuccino, UsX & Izoard, Grand Mike Jazz, Alphaz, Honoman, Glomaneka, SLM, Bill Ruzima, Ndaane, Kris Dane, Slam, among others.[6]

8th edition 2022[edit]

The eighth was initially planned for June 4 to 6, 2021. However, due to the state of siege prompted by security concerns and the COVID-19 pandemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, it was postponed to February 4 to 6, 2022,[44][45][46] in Kituku in the Kyeshero neighborhood of Goma commune.[47] It attracted a crowd of more than 30,000 festival attendees, along with various UN Agencies and NGOs.[6] Due to Goma's ranking as the second city in the DRC after Kinshasa in terms of COVID-19 cases and deaths, North Kivu expanded the vaccination program at the event to promote vaccination awareness.[48][49] Bintou Keita, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, was present, distributing leaflets to caution people against COVID-19 misinformation on social media.[50][51]

Notable artists at the event included: W. Malick, Afande Ready, Mohombi, Roga Roga, among others.[47]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Le Foyer Culturel de Goma et le Festival Amani pleurent avec larmes le décès d'Éric De Lamotte". Amanifestival.com.
  2. ^ "Mort d'Eric de Lamotte: le créateur du festival Amani n'est plus!". Habarirdc.net.
  3. ^ "Le Prix Éric de Lamotte". Prixericdelamotte.com.
  4. ^ "Afri'Cask RDC : Dans le casque de Guillaume Bisimwa". Auxsons.com.
  5. ^ "Peace, Music and Children's Rights at the 2014 Amani Festival". ponabana. 2014-02-19. Archived from the original on 2020-02-18. Retrieved 2020-02-18.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x "A propos du Festival Amani" [About the Amani Festival]. www.amanifestival.com (in French). Goma, North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  7. ^ Badibanga, Walter (21 September 2016). "Les 5 meilleurs festivals de musique en RDC" [The 5 best music festivals in the DRC]. Music In Africa. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  8. ^ "Festival Amani : 36 000 personnes attendues à Goma" [Amani Festival: 36,000 people expected in Goma]. Radio Okapi (in French). Goma, North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo. 30 January 2017. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  9. ^ Nsapu, Esther (2019-02-17). "Festival Amani : chanter la paix et danser pour le changement". Habari RDC (in French). Retrieved 2020-02-18.
  10. ^ "Festival Amani : artistes et public ont célébré la paix à Goma | adiac-congo.com : toute l'actualité du Bassin du Congo". adiac-congo.com. Retrieved 2020-02-18.
  11. ^ "SPLA | Festival Amani". www.spla.pro. Retrieved 2020-02-18.
  12. ^ "Amani Festival: The DR Congo music festival celebrating life". BBC News. 2020-02-23. Retrieved 2022-02-05.
  13. ^ "Le Festival Amani à Goma - Du 4 au 6 février 2022". amanifestival.com. Retrieved 2022-02-05.
  14. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Amani Festival: Evaluation of 2016/Perspective of 2017" (PDF). Amanifestival.com. Goma, North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo. 2016. p. 3. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  15. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Amani Fest 2018: Èvaluation 2018/Perspectives 2019" (PDF). Amanifestival.com (in French). Goma, North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo. 2018. p. 4. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  16. ^ a b c d "Amani Fest 2018: Èvaluation 2018/Perspectives 2019" (PDF). Amanifestival.com (in French). Goma, North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo. 2018. p. 5. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  17. ^ "Le Festival Amani s'ouvre à Goma" [The Amani Festival opens in Goma]. Radio Okapi (in French). Goma, North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo. 2014-02-12. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  18. ^ a b "Goma: le festival «Amani» reporté" [Goma: the "Amani" festival postponed]. Radio Okapi (in French). Goma, North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo. 28 August 2013. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  19. ^ Boisselet, Pierre (22 February 2016). "RD Congo: Éric de Lamotte, l'entrepreneur belge qui voulait ressusciter Goma" [DR Congo: Éric de Lamotte, the Belgian entrepreneur who wanted to resurrect Goma]. Jeuneafrique.com (in French). Paris, France. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  20. ^ "Eric de Lamotte s'exprime sur le festival Amani" [Eric de Lamotte speaks about the Amani festival]. Radio Okapi (in French). Goma, North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo. 14 February 2014. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  21. ^ "Centre Wallonie-Bruxelles à Kinshasa". www.wbi.be (in French). Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  22. ^ "Le Festival Amani s'ouvre à Goma" [The Amani Festival opens in Goma]. Radio Okapi (in French). Goma, North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo. 12 February 2014. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  23. ^ "Clôture du Festival Amani à Goma" [Closing of the Amani Festival in Goma]. Radio Okapi (in French). Goma, North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo. 17 February 2014. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  24. ^ "La 2è édition du Festival Amani fixée en mi-février à Goma" [The 2nd edition of the Amani Festival scheduled for mid-February in Goma]. Radio Okapi (in French). Goma, North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo. 10 February 2015. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  25. ^ Asina, Judith (26 January 2016). "Troisième édition du Festival Amani: le sénégalais Ismaello s'ajoute aux prestataires" [Third edition of the Amani Festival: Senegalese Ismaello joins the service providers]. 7sur7.cd (in French). Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  26. ^ a b "Les photos du vendredi 12 février 2016? C'est par ici!" [Photos from Friday February 12, 2016? It's this way!]. Amanifestival.com (in French). Goma, North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo. 12 February 2016. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  27. ^ a b "Les photos du dimanche 14 février 2016 ? C'est par ici!" [Photos from Sunday, February 14, 2016? It's this way!]. Amanifestival.com (in French). Goma, North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo. 14 February 2016. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  28. ^ a b "Les photos du vendredi 10 février 2017 ? C'est par ici!" [Photos from Friday February 10, 2017? It's this way!]. Amanifestival.com (in French). Goma, North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo. 10 February 2017. Retrieved 2024-05-13.
  29. ^ a b "Les photos du dimanche 12 février 2017? C'est par ici!" [Photos from Sunday, February 12, 2017? It's this way!]. Amanifestival.com (in French). Goma, North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo. 12 February 2017. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  30. ^ "Festival Amani 2017". Promo Jeune Basket. 15 February 2017. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  31. ^ Kibangula, Treasure (13 February 2017). "RD Congo : le festival Amani veut s'exporter dans d'autres localités du Kivu" [DR Congo: the Amani festival wants to export to other localities in Kivu]. Jeuneafrique.com (in French). Paris, France. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  32. ^ a b c "Amani Fest 2018: Èvaluation 2018/Perspectives 2019" (PDF). Amanifestival.com (in French). Goma, North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo. 2018. pp. 1–2. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  33. ^ "Festival Amani: Un moment de transcender les différences pour regarder vers la paix" [Amani Festival: A moment to transcend differences to look towards peace]. Nations Unies Maintien de la paix (in French). New York, New York State, United States. 11 February 2018. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  34. ^ "Goma: Paix, entrepreneuriat, musique au cœur de la 5ème édition du festival Amani" [Goma: Peace, entrepreneurship, music at the heart of the 5th edition of the Amani festival]. Actualite.cd (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. 10 February 2018. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  35. ^ "RDC: Goma accueille la 5ème édition du Festival Amani" [DRC: Goma hosts the 5th edition of the Amani Festival]. Radio Afrique France (in French). 9 February 2018. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  36. ^ Alouna, Bénédicte (2 February 2018). "Festival Amani 2018: Ferre Gola, Jupiter, Aganze, Zao, Dub Inc, … à la une" [Amani Festival 2018: Ferre Gola, Jupiter, Aganze, Zao, Dub Inc, … in the headlines]. www.adiac-congo.com (in French). Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  37. ^ "Festival Amani 2019: Youssoupha, Baloji et Fally Ipupa, parmi les invités" [Amani Festival 2019: Youssoupha, Baloji and Fally Ipupa, among the guests]. Music In Africa (in French). 31 January 2019. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  38. ^ Masela, Nioni (19 February 2019). "Festival Amani: une affluence sans précédent à la sixième édition" [Amani Festival: unprecedented attendance at the sixth edition]. www.adiac-congo.com (in French). Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  39. ^ "En images, le Festival Amani édition 2019" [In pictures, the Amani Festival 2019 edition]. BBC News Afrique (in French). 19 February 2019. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  40. ^ "La MONUSCO contribue au succès du festival de la paix dans la région des Grands Lacs" [MONUSCO contributes to the success of the peace festival in the Great Lakes region]. Nations Unies Maintien de la paix (in French). New York, New York State, United States. 17 February 2020. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  41. ^ a b Braeckman, Colette (16 February 2020). "RD Congo: Avec le festival Amani, Goma choisit la vie" [DR Congo: With the Amani festival, Goma chooses life]. Le Soir (in French). Brussels, Belgium. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  42. ^ Mafuta, Masand (18 February 2020). "Festival Amani 2020: la 7ème édition s'est clôturée avec faste" [Amani Festival 2020: the 7th edition ended with pomp]. CultureCongo (in French). Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  43. ^ Uwera, Ley (22 February 2020). "Amani Festival: The DR Congo music festival celebrating life". BBC News. London, England, United Kingdom. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  44. ^ "La 8ème édition du Festival Amani (juin 2021) est annulée" [The 8th edition of the Amani Festival (June 2021) is canceled]. Amanifestival.com. Goma, North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo. 21 May 2021. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  45. ^ Kuzamba, Emmanuel (21 May 2021). "RDC: la 8ème édition du festival Amani annulée suite à l'état de siège et la situation sécuritaire à Goma" [DRC: the 8th edition of the Amani festival canceled following the state of siege and the security situation in Goma]. Actualite.cd (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  46. ^ "La 8ème édition du Festival Amani prévue du 4 au 6 février 2022 à Goma dans la province du Nord-Kivu" [The 8th edition of the Amani Festival scheduled for February 4 to 6, 2022 in Goma in the province of North Kivu]. ACP (in French). 25 October 2021. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  47. ^ a b "La 8ème édition du Festival Amani ouvre ses portes dans une ambiance inattendue" [The 8th edition of the Amani Festival opens its doors in an unexpected atmosphere]. ZIK PLUS TV (in French). 4 February 2022. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  48. ^ "Des candidats à la vaccination de plus en plus enregistré sur le site du Festival Amani" [More and more candidates for vaccination are registered on the Amani Festival website]. Afia-amanigrandslacs.info (in French). 6 February 2022. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  49. ^ Bagheni, Gisèle (6 February 2022). "La monusco determinée à accompagner les prochaines éditions du Festival Amani" [Monusco determined to support the next editions of the Amani Festival]. Afia-amanigrandslacs.info (in French). Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  50. ^ Photos, MONUSCO (2022-02-04), 815A0016, retrieved 2022-02-05
  51. ^ Kazirhu, Martin (14 February 2022). "Les meilleures rencontres que j'ai faites à la 8e édition du festival Amani" [The best encounters I made at the 8th edition of the Amani festival]. Ponabana (in French). Retrieved 14 May 2024.
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