The significant event of this Christmas Day in Kinshasa reveals a surprising contrast that raises questions and reflections. Wandering through the main streets of the Congolese capital, no tangible sign of the approach of Christmas festivities can be seen. Usually illuminated by colorful decorations, the city’s emblematic squares such as the Central Station or Place Victoire seem stripped of their festive attire.
The ambient gloom that emanates from the capital could lead one to believe in a wounded city, marked by the recent bad weather that has struck it. The streets strewn with puddles, the damaged alleys, the flooded gutters and the plastic waste littering the ground seem to bear witness to the ravages of recent downpours. Kinshasa seems almost to have lost its usual shine, plunged into an urban disorder that contrasts sharply with the usual effervescence that characterizes this time of year.
However, a ray of light pierces this gloomy picture in some of the city’s renowned private establishments, such as luxury hotels, banks and supermarkets. There, traditional Christmas decorations such as fir trees, sparkling garlands and lights bring a touch of magic to the surrounding atmosphere. These havens of festivities counteract the dreary reality outside and offer an enchanted refuge to the amazed gazes of passers-by.
It is also on some public buildings that the holiday spirit seems to have found an echo. The Caisse Sociale d’Epargne, the building of the general management of the National Transport Office, adorned with their Christmas decorations, bring a breath of life and conviviality to the surrounding gloom. These oases of light and colour contrast with the often dull and desolate landscape of the Congolese capital during this festive period.
Beyond this striking duality, this contrasting reality calls into question the ability of the inhabitants of Kinshasa to draw on the magic of Christmas despite the trials. She recalls that the strength of the community lies in its ability to brighten up sad rainy days with the warmth of its hearts and the sharing of moments of joy and solidarity. In this moving picture, where melancholy and resilience mingle, emerge the miracle of celebration and the hope of a better future, far from the passing tumults that mark the daily life of the Congolese capital.