Title: “30 years of war in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo: a moving exhibition retraces the other side of paradise”
Introduction :
The east of the Democratic Republic of Congo has been the scene of violence and conflict for more than 30 years. A unique exhibition of its kind, entitled “L’envers du paradis”, highlights this reality through the work of Congolese and South African photographers. By retracing these decades of violence, the Bayeux War Correspondents Prize exhibition offers an emotional dive into the daily lives of the inhabitants of this ravaged region.
An African perspective on the conflict:
The exhibition’s mission is to tell the story of the conflict from an African point of view. The photos on display were taken by photojournalists from the continent, such as South African Guy Tillim, as well as four talented Congolese photographers: Moses Sawasawa, Esther N’sapu, Ley Uwera and Dieudonné Dirole. This approach gives a voice to local actors and highlights their unique perspective on the situation.
A poignant testimony through key themes:
Organized thematically rather than chronologically, the exhibition presents around fifty photos which address various aspects of the conflict. There we find poignant images of armed groups, movements of displaced people, sexual violence, child labor in cobalt mines, but also the daily life of residents. This multi-faceted approach allows us to draw a realistic portrait of this region which has more than 95 million inhabitants.
“The other side of paradise”: an evocative title:
The choice of the title of the exhibition, “L’envers du paradis”, is itself evocative. It expresses the complex reality of this region where violence and fear seem omnipresent, but where residents nevertheless find ways to maintain hope and resist. Arts, festivals and other forms of cultural events are examples of these resilience strategies adopted by residents. The exhibition aims to show that, despite the many challenges, the fundamental aspirations of the inhabitants of this region are the same as those of everyone else: to live happily, to found a family, to succeed in life.
Committed photographers:
The two Congolese photographers, Ley Uwera and Esther N’sapu, who grew up with the war, are particularly committed to their work. As independent women photographers, they face many challenges and prejudices. They sometimes work in collaboration with humanitarian organizations and take security precautions when reporting from the field. Their presence and their contribution to the exhibition allow us to have an intimate look at the realities of the conflict and the challenges they must overcome..
Conclusion :
The exhibition “L’envers du paradis” offers a poignant look at 30 years of war in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Through the photographs of talented Congolese and South African photojournalists, she highlights the complex reality of this ravaged region while emphasizing the resilience and hope of the inhabitants. An exhibition not to be missed, which provokes reflection and empathy in the face of these often overlooked realities.