Kinshasa, September 17th, 2025 (CPA).- Posted in Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) since 2022, Swiss Ambassador Chasper Sarott has been replaced by Leo Trembley, in the country of Lumumba since July 2025. Inheriting an effective cultural cooperation between DRC and the Swiss Confederation through various projects and partnerships, the new ambassador took up his post the day after the Art Exhibition for the Recognition of Congolese Genocides held in Geneva, proof of Switzerland’s commitment to promoting Congolese culture and awareness-raising around its history. Leo Trembley was approached on Tuesday by the Congolese Press Agency (CPA) for detailed comments on the state of cultural cooperation between these two friendly countries.
Question 1: Can Congolese artists still hope for continued support from the Swiss Embassy in DRC?
Ambassador Leo Trembley: « I am the new Swiss Ambassador in DRC. I have arrived here at the beginning of July 2025. It is true that my predecessor had done a lot of work in the cultural field. I am delighted to continue his work. As you know, the field of culture is very broad. There is dance, which is often celebrated, and painting, which is very dynamic in DRC and is also an area that interests me greatly. Textiles are an area that unites the two countries. There are flamboyant textiles here, and historically we have a large industry with people who produce wax fabrics and sell them in Africa. It is interesting to see the synergies between the two countries. As an embassy, we don’t just look at art in a single way; we also look at links with Swiss artists. The idea is to see how we can establish a dialogue between the two countries.
Question 2: How can artistic projects establish links between the two countries?
Ambassador Leo Trembley: For me, the question will be: how can we establish links with other artistic categories and see the areas that bring us together? It could be artists who know both countries, it could be collectors, it could be Congolese films shot in Switzerland or Swiss films shot in DRC. In the context of an embassy, any project must have a connection with the country we represent.
Question 3: « Three months after your arrival, what do you think of the city of Kinshasa?
Ambassador Leo Trembley: I come from Abidjan. I find that Kinshasa has an extremely pleasant climate. This city is three times larger than Abidjan. There is also a different energy here. That’s what I really like about this place; I find that people have a lot of vitality. It’s true that it’s also a difficult city, but you can see that people are quick-witted. For me, that’s something that motivates me and that I find stimulating. CPA/