Kinshasa, March 22nd, 2026 (CPA) – A strong and impactful participation of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in the 2026 edition of the Venice Biennale in Italy, aimed at positioning its culture on the international artistic stage, was confirmed by the Minister in charge of Culture during a press conference held Saturday in Kinshasa. “The Venice Biennale is one of the world’s largest platforms for artistic expression. Taking part through a national pavilion and parallel activities is not merely symbolic. It is positioning, affirmation and projection. The DRC brings an artistic voice, a cultural voice, but above all the voice of a resilient people in the face of adversity,” said Yolande Elebe, Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage.
Through this official participation, she added, the government affirms its ambition to sustainably structure the DRC’s presence on the international artistic scene. “This initiative is part of the vision of the President of the Republic, Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi, implemented by the government led by Prime Minister Judith Suminwa, which recognizes culture as a strategic lever for development, influence and sovereignty. Today, culture is no longer peripheral—it lies at the heart of power dynamics, narratives and the global influence of nations,” she stressed.
According to the minister, participation in the Venice Biennale marks the beginning of a broader agenda aimed at enhancing the DRC’s cultural influence internationally. “This is a gradual process to ensure a coherent, strategic and continuous presence of the DRC at major international events,” she said.
The Congolese participation is based on a structured framework involving public-private partnerships that bring together institutions, artists, cultural stakeholders and committed partners around a shared ambition. “Our objective is to make our country’s voice heard in all its richness, complexity and modernity, by showcasing artists from diverse backgrounds, reflecting our cultural diversity and the vitality of our local scene,” she noted.
Government vision for the cultural ecosystem
According to her, the government’s commitment reflects a strong determination to build an organized cultural ecosystem capable of producing, disseminating and exporting Congolese creative works. “Our presence at the Venice Biennale is above all the starting point of a broader ambition to make Congolese culture a force for projection, dialogue and global influence. Beyond the artworks and exhibitions, it is a vision we carry—that of a Congo that creates, innovates and inspires. A Congo that tells its own story with strength, pride and ambition,” she stated. “Today, we are not just coming to participate. We are coming to exist, to position ourselves and to tell the story of the DRC differently, with accuracy and ambition,” she concluded.
Appointed commissioner for the DRC’s participation, Cindy Makiana revealed that the national pavilion will be presented under the theme “Simba moto,” offering a contemporary artistic interpretation of Congolese cultural dynamics and imaginaries.
She added that Congolese artists will perform both in official and parallel events throughout the Biennale. The DRC has set up a monitoring committee led by renowned painter Franck Dikisongele to oversee its participation in the 61st International Art Exhibition of the Venice Biennale, scheduled from May 9th to November 22nd, 2026, in Italy.