Matadi, October 30th, 2025 (CPA) . – A call for the revival of animation cinema and the performing arts was made on Thursday to the provincial government of Kongo-Central in the south-west of the Democratic Republic of Congo, on the sidelines of World Animation Day celebrated every 28 October, by a director during an exchange with the CPA. « We have many projects for this province of Kongo-Central, which was once the standard-bearer of Zairean culture. Today, it no longer has a presence in this field. I came to Matadi to promote Kongo culture through cinema and dance, because the province is full of talented but under-exploited young people, » said Wedou Wetungani, a professional director and choreographer.
A scene directed by a director
‘We are asking for financial, material and moral support.
A people without culture is a dead people. The provincial government must be able to financially support the travel of a theatre troupe to represent the province at cultural events,’ he pleaded. He also reported that two training workshops, one devoted to acting and the other to dance, are currently being held at the French Institute in Matadi, in partnership with the Nzinga Art Company and local actors, with a view to promoting culture and strengthening the capacities of young artists. ‘These activities are also preparing for a show entitled “Le monde n’est pas gentil ou le général de tous les temps” (The world is not kind or the general of all time), a work by Burkinabe author Mady Sanfo, which is scheduled to be presented next year as part of a festival in Kinshasa, where the troupe will represent the province of Kongo Central,’ he said. According to Mr. Wetungani, these initiatives demonstrate that Kongo Central, once the cultural bastion of the country, still has artistic potential that can shine through cinema and the performing arts.
Originally from Kinshasa, where he studied at the National Institute of Arts before continuing his training in Côte d’Ivoire, Mr Wetungani invited the provincial Ministry of Culture to support local initiatives.