Brussels: a discussion on Congolese rumba planned for September 27th

Kinshasa, September 4^th, 2025 (CPA), –A discussion on the theme of ‘the golden age of Congolese music 1960-1974’, the title of one of the books written by a journalist and cartoonist from the Democratic Republic of Congo, is scheduled for September 27^th, 2025 in Brussels, Belgium, with the aim of discussing the secret ingredient of this music, CPA learned from the author on Thursday. ‘Our special reading break on Saturday September 27^th at the Kongo library, a major venue for promoting cultural activities evoking the history, memory and heritage of the Congolese diaspora, will consist of talking about Rumba, the era of Tango ya ba Wendo, and everything that makes this famous music, appreciated and recognised throughout the world, tick,’ said journalist-book author Bathy Asimba. ‘‘the golden age of Congolese music 1960-1974” is the title of one of the books I wrote. In fact, I’ve always worn several hats: artist, cartoonist, journalist, poster designer, but our talk will focus on the author’s hat, » he has added. According to him, this talk is a good opportunity to remind participants of the musical memories of the pioneers, the artists who have given rise to this music, which was registered since December 14^th, 2021 on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. ‘I have in fact this year, brought out 4 books on the subject, 3 of which present the great figures of Congolese music: Emeneya, Lita Bembo and Papa Wemba, published by Editions du crayon noir, to serve as a medium for deepening knowledge and preserving the history of Congolese music, which already lacks sufficient written archives,’ he has specified.