Kinshasa, April 9th, 2025 (CPA) – Highlighting the heritage, richness and evolution of Congolese rumba was the objective assigned to the project to organize a multidisciplinary festival scheduled for July 18th -19th in Montreuil (Paris region), France, according to a press release received by CPA on Wednesday.
“The Festival of the Congolese Rumba is a unique event designed to celebrate and promote Congolese culture, with a particular focus on the richness of Congolese rumba, a UNESCO-listed cultural heritage. The project is organized with the support of the Montreuil town council in France. The first edition is confirmed for July 18-19, 2025 in Montreuil,” it read.
“This festival will bring together artists, experts and enthusiasts around various immersive activities. The ideal is to put forward a positive image of the Democratic Republic of Congo, celebrating its cultural richness,” the document added.
According to the press release, the aim of the event is to preserve and promote this music, which will be listed as a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage site in 2021. The purpose of the festival is not only to promote cultural diversity and African unity, but also to encourage discovery and learning through workshops and conferences. “Rumba has influenced and been influenced by many cultures around the world. This festival is an opportunity to strengthen the links between the African diaspora and the continent. Bringing together artists, researchers and enthusiasts around a common heritage”.
Among the main activities, the festival features performances by renowned and emerging artists from the rumba scene; master classes with learning sessions with professional musicians and dancers… Beyond the festive and artistic aspects, the event also includes a series of conferences and workshops.
“There will be discussions on the history and impact of rumba around the world. The consequences of the security crisis on Congolese culture”. Workshops will focus on dance: initiation and perfecting of emblematic rumba steps. Cooking: discovering Congolese gastronomy. Literature: meetings and debates on Congolese literature.