Kinshasa, June 28th, 2026 (CPA).- A theatrical performance focusing on the cultural and ecological challenges of the Congo Basin was staged on Saturday at the Congolese Cultural Centre « The Zoo » in Gombe, northern Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), with the aim of raising public awareness about environmental protection.
« This project was jointly carried out by “Théâtre du Fleuve” and Kongo River, with the support of Africalia and Enabel. For several weeks, twelve young artists have worked together to present this performance entitled Bobebisi Ngai, a production showcasing the outcome of this collective artistic adventure while raising awareness among the Congolese community that waste can be transformed into artistic creation, » said Paul Ngoie Leperc, Director-General of the Congolese Cultural Centre « The Zoo« . Following the performance, Mr. Ngoie stressed during discussions on the same theme that the cultural center has served as a space for artistic exploration and experimentation, enabling these young talents to express themselves and promote the country’s cultural heritage. « The Congolese Cultural Centre Le Zoo is undergoing a major revitalization. We first rehabilitated and secured the site to turn it into a healthy creative hub. We are now bringing artists and cultural operators back to the heart of the center’s activities because we want art to serve as a bridge for transmitting the legacy of the elders to the younger generation, » he said. For his part, Vincent Kunda, President of the NGO Kongo River, expressed satisfaction that « art has been used as a tool in this project to raise awareness and encourage everyone to understand the importance of our common heritage, the Congo River, which is one of the DRC’s priceless assets thanks to its immense hydroelectric potential, its freshwater resources worth billions, its exceptional biodiversity and its vital role in regulating the climate. » « We cannot protect or love something we do not know. Through this project, we want to encourage everyone to become aware that the Congo River is under threat from industrial and domestic pollution. The project was designed to enable artists to feel even more useful by helping disseminate this important message, » Mr. Kunda added.
Artists urged to embrace their role as cultural and environmental ambassadors
In the same vein, artists from various disciplines were urged to recognize their role as cultural and environmental ambassadors in addressing the challenges facing the Congo Basin, the world’s second-largest drainage basin after the Amazon.
« Within the Theatre, Cultural and Ecological Heritage project, we selected artists who underwent several training modules to help them realize their potential. Where science cannot always reach, culture can. Cultural actors easily attract people; immerse them in new dynamics, lifestyles and ways of thinking. Artists themselves must realize that they have the power to serve as ambassadors, conveying this message through their respective artistic expressions with a transformative approach. Art must change the course of history and contribute to transforming the country, » said David-Minor Ilunga of Théâtre du Fleuve. As part of the awareness campaign on preserving the Congo River, the artists enhanced their acting skills during the training program preceding the performance through immersion in theatrical creation and stage techniques accompanied by music. They also worked with recycled waste materials, transforming them into elaborate costumes and stage sets, which they proudly displayed during the performance.
The evening also featured the presentation of the giant baobab tree standing within the grounds of the Congolese Cultural Centre Le Zoo as a symbol of resilience and memory for the past 70 years. This iconic tree, which has long served as both a natural and spiritual landmark, inspiring generations of local artists, was presented from the historical perspective of the former Léopoldville as a heritage site worthy of preservation.
In addition, young artists were invited to participate in an artistic creation workshop scheduled for March 31st in Kinshasa. The project focuses on fostering dialogue between culture, heritage and ecology around the Congo Basin, while placing particular emphasis on women and their fundamental role in society.