Faustin Linyekula & Studios Kabako

Drums and Digging

For over ten years the charismatic Congolese dancer-choreographer Faustin Linyekula has been driven by the idea of getting something going in his country. He wanted to look always to the future with his productions, projects and plans. «more more more … future», presented at the 2009 festival, was hailed as a «grandiose dance rock opera» and a counterpoint to the paralyzing hopelessness of the DRC. Now he turns his attention to the present and his function as a contemporary Congolese artist: «Why are we still here? Are we trying to bear the burden, to save in some ways this bloody country? Is there some hope somewhere?» Together with his company he went to look for answers on a journey that took them to the places of their childhood: The legendary palace of Mobutu in Gbadolite and Linyekula’s native village Obilo. It became a journey to a vanished country. (esc)