The article entitled “Of the twelve candidates in the running for the RFI Theater Prize, a Congolese has caught the attention” highlights the talent of a Congolese author, N’Anza Tata, who is among the finalists of the tenth edition of this prestigious prize.
The RFI Theater Prize, awarded by Radio France Internationale (RFI), aims to reward each year a French-speaking author from Africa, the Indian Ocean, the Caribbean or the Near/Middle East. It highlights high quality dramatic works, selected for their literary and dramatic qualities and their originality.
In this edition, N’Anza Tata presents his play entitled “Analogie du vertigo”. This creation offers a striking portrait of contemporary Congolese society. The action takes place at “Chez Mama ni Mama”, a bar in Kinshasa, during the burial of Lumumba’s tooth, 61 years after his assassination. Customers, from various backgrounds, express their points of view, while the owner arbitrates the debates and Kabukula, the neighborhood troubadour, improvises a poem. Tongues are loosened little by little, revealing the intricacies of a society in motion.
It should be noted that the RFI Theater Prize has not yet seen a Congolese author from the DRC win since its creation in 2014. N’Anza Tata, with his captivating play, therefore represents real hope for the Congolese theater scene. .
The name of the winner of the 2023 RFI Theater Prize will be announced on September 24, during a ceremony to be held in Limoges, as part of the Zébrures d’Automne festival. The jury, made up of artists and professionals, will have the difficult task of choosing from among the works of a dozen finalists, selected from more than 130 applications from the Francophonie.
This prize highlights the creative diversity and talent of French-speaking authors, thus offering international visibility to their work. It constitutes a veritable springboard for the promotion of the performing arts and encourages theatrical creation in the French-speaking regions of the world.
In conclusion, the presence of N’Anza Tata among the finalists of the RFI Theater Prize is a unique opportunity to highlight the richness and quality of contemporary Congolese theatre. His work, “Analogie du vertige”, testifies to the ability of art to explore social issues and to generate rich and stimulating debates. We look forward to the outcome of this prestigious contest and hope that N’Anza Tata will win the much-deserved prize