Japan: Congolese cultural day in tribute to Papa Wemba and Alfred Liyolo

Kinshasa, June 26^th, 2025 (CPA) . – A Congolese cultural day is planned for June 27^th in the port city of Osaka, Japan, in tribute to the contributions of two artists from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Papa Wemba and Alfred Liyolo, both of whom have passed away, according to a statement from the Ministry of Culture consulted on Thursday at the CPA. ‘As part of Congolese Week at the Osaka 2025 World Expo, the Democratic Republic of Congo will celebrate a Congolese Cultural Day on June 27^th, 2025 under the theme “Living Culture, Eternal Memories”,’ the statement said. ‘This day will be marked by a solemn tribute to two major figures of the national artistic heritage: Papa Wemba, legend of Congolese rumba, and Maître Liyolo, internationally renowned sculptor, both of blessed memory,’ the document states. ‘Through this celebration, the DRC wishes to salute their exceptional contribution to the recognition of Congolese culture around the world, particularly in Japan. One made the world dance with rhythm and elegance, and the other sculpted silence into noble and eternal material,’ the same note continued, before specifying: ‘At the heart of this global exhibition, the DRC will reaffirm its commitment to keeping alive, passing on and celebrating a rich, diverse and constantly evolving cultural heritage. A strong message: culture never dies. It transforms, is passed on (…) and continues to travel.’ Born in 1943 in Bolobo (Maï-Ndombe), DRC, Alfred Liyolo died on April 1^st, 2019 in Vienna, Austria. Thanks to his works, Alfred Liyolo Limbe, also known as the ‘bronze sculpture specialist’, travelled to major cities around the world and exhibited in prestigious cultural venues, including Paris (Louvre), Nice in France, Tokyo (Japan), Seville (1992 World Expo), New York (Art Expo 93) (USA), Vienna (Austria), Lisbon (Portugal), Beijing (China) and elsewhere. In recognition of his achievements, Mr Liyolo was awarded the Medal of Merit for Arts, Sciences and Letters in December 2015, along with other cultural figures, at the People’s Palace in Kinshasa. Born Jules Shungu Wembadio Pene Kikumba, Papa Wemba died on April 24^th, 2016 after collapsing on stage in Abidjan at Femua, the Anoumabo Urban Music Festival. Since then, several series of activities have been organized to commemorate the anniversary of his death, including thanksgiving masses and concerts in the capital and in several countries in Africa and around the world.