missa luba (working title)
by Sammy Baloji
Friday, 22 september - 5:00 PM
Saturday, 23 september - 5:00 PM
Sunday, 24 september - 7:00 PM
Sunday, 24 september - 5:00 PM
Centre Culturel Bir Lahjar
Research, idea and direction: Sammy Baloji
Text and reading: Fiston Mwanza Mujila
Musical composition and performance: Pytshens Kambilo and Barbara Drazkov
Production and coordination manager: Estelle Lecaille
Administrative manager: Marek Szponik
Set design: Silvana De Bari
Production of mats: Salah Amamou, Amel Jelassi, Kaouthar Hedli, Olfa Bjaoui, Hanen Hedli and Marwa Saidani
Translation : Hager Bouden
Assistant: Mohamed Amine Jelassi
A production by L'Art Rue and Twenty Nine Studio, in coproduction with Kunstenfestivaldesarts
Special thanks: Municipality of the city of Tunis, Tunisian Carpet and Weaving Innovation Center, Adnen El Ghali, Father Silvo Moreno, Daniel Blanga Gubbay, Jan Goossens
In memory of Hanen Hedli and Marwa Saidani
Videos
With his missa luba (working title), Sammy Baloji plunges us into the history of the Kongo kingdom from the 15th century, slavery and the evangelisation of Africa. The missa luba is a version of the Latin mass using traditional Congolese songs developed by a Belgian missionary in the mid-twentieth century.
This music, whose very existence testifies to colonial domination, is in dialogue here with the great historical figures of the Kongo kingdom. We become clear-sighted witnesses of the first contacts and diplomatic exchanges, alliances and misalliances, and quickly of colonial strategic issues and enslavement. Two timeframes collide, taking us back to past colonisation and Africa's current political and economic reality. This is a much-needed creation, supported by a fascinating theatrical and musical performance.
Practical information
Bir Lahjar Cultural Centre (map)
Sep. 22 - 23 at 5pm
Sep. 24 at 5pm & 7pm
Open to all public
Language : French without surtitles. The text translated into Arabic is available on this page thanks to QR code.
Duration
50 mins.
Price information
Single price: 5 DT
Reduced rate: 3 DT for students & children < 12 years old
Free for residents of the medina upon presentation of an ID