(Minister of Culture)
Paris, April 28th, 2025(CPA)-The Congolese artistic community in France was urged to promote messages of peace, resilience and solidarity by the Congolese Minister of Culture, Yolande Elebe, at a reception on Saturday at the Embassy of the Democratic Republic of Congo in Paris, France. ‘The current situation in the DRC is marked by unprecedented challenges, particularly because of the armed conflicts affecting our country and our people. In the face of these tragic circumstances, it is crucial that the artistic community mobilises not only to evoke these realities, but also to promote messages of peace, resilience and solidarity’, said Yolande Elebe Ma Ndembo, Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage. ‘Art has always played a fundamental role in expressing social struggles, asserting our identities and resisting adversity. It is through your creations, your words, your melodies and your performances that we can give a voice to those who suffer and make our nation’s heartfelt cry heard. Your talent is a powerful vehicle for transformation and raising awareness’, she said. The Minister in charge of Culture called on artists to join forces to defend the cultural heritage and bring a glimmer of hope to the people, where the shadow of conflict hangs heavy. ‘I call on each and every one of you to get involved in this cultural mobilization: by creating works that challenge, by organizing events that raise awareness and by supporting initiatives that promote peace and reconciliation, she launched. She added: ‘Together, we can build bridges, foster dialogue and inspire generations to come. The Congolese diaspora, with its rich diversity and expertise, has a crucial role to play in this dynamic. I encourage you to network, collaborate and celebrate our culture while remaining sensitive to the realities of our country’.‘Toz’art elongo na FARDC’, a campaign to support the valiant Congolese military
In addition, the Minister of Culture took the opportunity to explain to diaspora actors the quintessence of the ‘Toz’art elongo na FARDC’ campaign, which aims to support the valiant Congolese military through the arts and culture. ‘This concept supports the ‘Congolese Stand up’ campaign, which was launched by the Prime Minister, head of government, to mobilize the people to resist the enemy in the face of war and protect our land. Our country will remain one and indivisible. We are all builders of a new DRC, a peaceful and prosperous DRC. Cultural mobilization is our means of fighting for a better future, a future where every Congolese, wherever they may be, can live in dignity and serenity’, she hammered. Yolande Elebe praised the commitment of artists in all disciplines to promoting culture, which enables the country’s voice to be heard around the world. ‘Together, let us continue to make the values of our culture resonate and to carry high the colours of our homeland’, she recommended. The Minister in charge of Culture also took the opportunity to present her positive mid-term assessment since taking office in government. ‘My main concern is to get the cultural sector out of the informal sector. That’s why the first thing we’ve done is to provide the country with a series of legal texts to regulate the sector, with the aim of improving the socio-professional conditions of artists’, she said. She continued: “You have, for example, the promulgation by the Head of State of the ordinance-law on the fundamental principles of culture, which we have called “Cultural Policy”. There was also the decree-law on the Statue of the Artist, which will ensure the protection and social security of art professionals. This project will enable us to begin the process of identifying artists throughout the country. We have undertaken reforms that will lead to the activation of private copying and the collective management of authors‘ rights (…)’. For the Congolese minister, the world must understand that culture is work. There are artists’ duties and rights. “That’s why we have even put in place measures to regulate the organization of live performance events. We no longer want the tragedies that occurred during concerts at the Martyrs stadium, to be able to happen again in the country”,Yolande Elebe informed. ‘Culture has a predominant place in our country. It is the voice. It cannot be considered as a distraction’, she stressed. Artists from the Congolese diaspora support the reforms undertaken by the government. The initiative of the meeting was welcomed by the diaspora, who congratulated the Minister for Culture on all her achievements in their sector. ‘In our country, the culture sector faces many challenges. You won’t be able to accomplish everything, but we’ll support you in your efforts’, said Didi Kembwarss, artist and Secretary General of the Collective of Congolese music producers in France. He concluded: ‘We congratulate you on the actions you have taken since you took office. You are determined to work towards establishing social security for artists, and we must all support this initiative’. The meeting was attended by the DRC ambassador to France, Émile Ngoy, the Chair of the Socio-Cultural Commission of the Congolese National Assembly, Dorothée Madiya, and a number of doyens of Paris-based Congolese Rumba.