Les Mybalés

Doris Bokongo Nkumu & Nathalie Bokongo Nkumu, aka Les Mybalés, have been a familiar presence at KVS since 2016. As self-taught urban dancers, their journey has taken them from performing in public spaces to joining the Brussels-based organization Lezarts Urbains. In 2016, they were cast in the first KVS production under the new artistic team: Malcolm X by Jr.cE.sA.R. This marked the beginning of a long-term collaboration and an ongoing dialogue with these emerging artists.

In 2017, Les Mybalés began research for À travers l’autre, a production by Lezarts Urbains in co-production with KVS and others. This successful debut performance developed in stages through residencies and showings at KVS, including within the WIPCOOP framework. With mentorship from KVS associate artist Alesandra Seutin, the piece premiered on the KVS stage in February 2019.

Before and during the COVID crisis, the collaboration continued through commissioned short formats (SLOW#03, Mindblowers, The Light That Never Goes Out, and KVS Breekt Uit at UZ Jette), allowing their choreographic signature to become increasingly distinctive and their work to reach new and diverse audiences both within and beyond KVS.

They were also cast in De Living by Ersan Mondtag at NTGent and Spirit Capital by Roland Gunst at Moussem. A key part of their journey has been reconnecting, after twenty years, with their country of origin, Congo, and its artistic scene. In May 2021, KVS supported their participation in the Goma Dance Festival, where they performed and led dance workshops for young women. In November 2021, we organized a one-month residency in Kinshasa as part of our partnership with the Yango Biennale.

In 2020, they began a residency project with Spanish director Ester Nadal and Mestizo Arts Platform, in collaboration with KVS, titled Le Vide. This research evolved into a full performance, co-produced with Walpurgis, and premiered at KVS in February 2023. The international premiere took place at the GREC Festival in Barcelona. In 2024, they will perform in Nginyathela by Moya Michael.