The Kinshasa Piano Festival: A musical and cultural celebration
The Kinshasa Piano Festival is an unmissable event which takes place every year in October in the Congolese capital. Since its first edition in 2021, this festival has highlighted the piano, a musical instrument considered “the most complete”. This year again, from October 1 to 7, pianists and music lovers will come together to attend a series of concerts and participate in reflections on Congolese society.
One of the key themes of this edition is that of “intervals”. In music, an interval refers to the distance between two notes, measured by the ratio of their frequencies. But beyond its musical meaning, the concept of interval is used here to reflect on the geographical, human and artistic distance that separates individuals and communities. The idea is to highlight rapprochement rather than distance. As David Shongo, artistic director of the festival, explains, “the interval means that Goma, Kisangani or Lubumbashi may seem far from Kinshasa, but we are all connected and concerned by what is happening throughout the country” .
The Kinshasa Piano Festival offers a rich program, with the participation of 21 artists from Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, France, Belgium, as well as Congolese pianists. The concerts will take place in various locations, including terraces called “Nganda piano” and concert halls. In addition to musical performances, the festival also offers moments of reflection and exchange to promote understanding and sensitivity towards other cultures and realities.
The festival, which is intended to be annual, highlights the piano, but also other keyboard instruments and traditional Congolese instruments, such as the harpsichord, the xylophone, the synthesizer, the Likembe or the Madimba. The goal is to create a common language through music and promote an inclusive society where everyone can express themselves freely.
This year, the Kinshasa Piano Festival also marks an important milestone, as it will be filled by the 2024 edition, with concerts planned in several locations in the city. Thanks to the arrival of new pianos, the organization will be able to extend its reach and reach an ever-wider audience.
The festival will open on October 1 with performances by Congolese pianist Jérémie Tshibi and Belgian pianist Alexander Gurning. The concerts will take place every day until October 7, with performances from 5:00 p.m. on the terraces and from 8:00 p.m. in the cultural spaces. To find out the full program, you can go to the social networks of the Piano de Kinshasa festival.
In conclusion, the Kinshasa Piano Festival offers a unique opportunity to celebrate music, promote intercultural exchanges and reflect on societal issues. This event contributes to the cultural enrichment of the city of Kinshasa and testifies to the talent and diversity of Congolese and international pianists. Don’t miss this week of festival which promises to be exceptional and full of musical discoveries.