The Congo Project is very much part of the artistic course the KVS plotted several years ago. Flemish theatre is becoming increasingly ‘internationalised’ and in its international operations the KVS is opting decisively for projects that are also relevant to the local Brussels context. After all, Brussels is not only Flanders, Belgium and Europe but also, and to a considerable extent, Africa.
The first steps…in Brussels
The first steps towards the Congo were taken in Brussels. Het leven en de werken van Leopold II (La vie et les oeuvres de Leopold II), the KVS production that Raven Ruëll based on Claus’ work, signalled that the artistic world too realised that the colonial hangover had not gone away (around the same time Luc Tuymans presented his famous Mwana Kitoko series). At the same time steps were taken to develop a common project with African artists who are permanently based in Brussels. This became the Green Light story. (read more, pdf: in Dutch, in French)
Seen from this perspective, going to the Congo was simply a logical next step. Since 2005, the KVS has created a solid foundation for cultural exchanges based on a new model...
Going to the Congo
Between 2005 and 2007, various performances were staged in Kinshasa: Martino, Gembloux, Spiegel and Het leven en de werken van Leopold II. Each time we opted for a short tour and performances in several locations in various boroughs in the city. Kinshasa is not only a very large and extensive city, it is also not easy to travel on public transport from one part to the next, especially at night. Simply settling down in one spot and expecting the audience to come to you is not an ideal option. These performances were always linked to periods of work that did not so much have education in mind as encounter. Our main aim was to create the ‘mental space’ in which Belgian and Congolese artists could peacefully work together and exchange ideas and experiences. And so Raven Ruëll, Johan Dehollander, Thomas Steyaert, David Van Reybrouck, Dirk Verstockt, David Bovée, Fabrizio Cassol and others became actively involved in the Congo Project.
The ‘new model’ of cultural cooperation with the Congo also involves reciprocity. The intention is not only for the KVS to go to the Congo but also that Kinshasa should have a presence in the KVS. This is evident for example in the close collaboration with Faustin Linyekula and Studios Kabako, which has already resulted in two joint productions The Dialogue Series: iii. Dinozord and more more more... future.
At present we are also working on very concrete productions:
Johan Dehollander, Geert Opsomer and Koen De Sutter are working with Papy Mbwiti, Starlette Mattata, Jovial Mbenga, Roc Bodo and Fabrice Bwabulamutima on a KVS/Campo coproduction that will be staged in Ghent and Brussels in April 2010.
Thomas Steyaert is working with Didier Edilo, David Kazembe and Ambassa Mimani on a dance production with Ultima Vez and the KVS which will have its world premiere in Kinshasa in July 2009, and will also be staged in the KVS in April 2010.
David Bovée continues to work on his King Sasha project which will tour Belgium and Europe in 2010.
Raven Ruëll will be starting a new theatre project in the autumn of 2009.
Together with Theatre in Motion from Beijing, work is being done on a multidisciplinary China-Congo project, the first results of which can be seen in Brussels in the spring of 2010.
Apart from this we are working hard on strengthening and broadening the artistic and administrative basis for the Congo Project. More news on this will follow shortly...
