The Kinshasa Piano Festival: When art comes to terraces and bars
In the bustling city of Kinshasa, the artistic scene never ceases to surprise and renew itself. And this time, it is the terraces and bars that have opened their doors to art, thanks to the exceptional event of the Kinshasa Piano Festival. For a week, these places usually frequented to “have a drink” were transformed into piano concert stages, thus offering an unexpected spectacle to customers, passers-by and art lovers.
The Kinshasa Piano Festival is not in its first edition. Since its launch in October 2021, the organization has always reserved a place for artistic performances in bars, which it calls “Nganda piano”. The idea is to take art out of traditional cultural spaces and make it accessible to everyone. A real challenge, despite the sometimes noisy and disruptive conditions for listening to the piano melodies.
The artists scheduled for the festival had to perform both in conventional cultural spaces and on bar terraces. This daring program allowed pianists, including those coming from abroad, to live contrasting experiences, and to explore the different atmospheres offered by these unique places.
German pianist Hanni Liang emphasizes that every place has its own beauty. Concert halls offer a more solemn atmosphere, but are not suitable for all artists and spectators. Bars, on the other hand, are lively, noisy and sometimes chaotic, which can make it difficult to concentrate. However, this immersion in the excitement of Kinshasa allowed him to better understand and appreciate the vibrant soul of this city.
The terraces, for their part, were the scene of the energy and movement specific to Kinshasa. For Swedish pianist Sofia Nystrand, responsible for the festival’s scenography and also an artist, this unique experience which took place over around three weeks, moving from one venue to another, including hotels, cultural spaces and terraces , was a source of inspiration for his music.
As a duo with Jakob Lindhagen, their compositions played during the festival were the opposite of the hustle and bustle of Kinshasa. Their music was slow and gentle, providing a striking contrast to the hustle and bustle of the city. However, they drew inspiration from the ambiance of Kinshasa to create their art, drawing inspiration from its energy and dynamism.
For Belgian pianist Alexander Gurning, who discovered Kinshasa for the first time, playing for people in the street, who do not usually attend concerts, was an incredible experience. He considers that this allows music to be discovered by a wider audience, particularly in bars, which constitutes a real revolution for him.. The objective of the festival was indeed to bring people together and put them in contact with music, wherever they are.
The Kinshasa Piano Festival is a unique initiative of its kind in the Democratic Republic of Congo and sub-Saharan Africa. Focused on the piano and pianists, this annual event offers a different theme each year. Beyond music, it also aims to be a platform for reflection on Congolese society, using this emblematic instrument to address historical realities, particularly those of Kinshasa.
In conclusion, the Kinshasa Piano Festival demonstrates that art has its place everywhere, even in the most unexpected places. By opening the doors of terraces and bars to piano music, it offers a unique experience to Kinshasa residents and invites everyone to discover art in a new light. A bold initiative that helps bring people together and spread culture to every corner of the city.