Celebrating Congo 2013
On Oct. 4-5, an unprecedented festival will bring world-class musicians, film artists, and speakers together for the first time. Celebrating Congo 2013 seeks to engage the Carolina community in meaningful discussion about both the cultural power and conflict of the DR Congo.
As our consumer choices continue to implicate us all in a global economy that directly fuels the Congo conflict, it is increasingly important to be aware of the impacts of our (in)actions. Celebrating Congo 2013 will provide a critical and creative space to engage in a wide array of relevant discussions, allowing the Carolina community to fulfill its mission of fostering compassionate and articulate citizens of the world.
Please support this artistic and intellectual endeavor and its interdisciplinary approach to evaluating global conflict – an approach which, at its very core, never loses sight of the reasons for Celebrating Congo and the creative power of all.
As our consumer choices continue to implicate us all in a global economy that directly fuels the Congo conflict, it is increasingly important to be aware of the impacts of our (in)actions. Celebrating Congo 2013 will provide a critical and creative space to engage in a wide array of relevant discussions, allowing the Carolina community to fulfill its mission of fostering compassionate and articulate citizens of the world.
Please support this artistic and intellectual endeavor and its interdisciplinary approach to evaluating global conflict – an approach which, at its very core, never loses sight of the reasons for Celebrating Congo and the creative power of all.
Click here to make a contribution
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CLICK HERE TO RESERVE TICKETS FOR KANDA BONGO MAN
RSVP to get updates
CLICK HERE TO RESERVE TICKETS FOR KANDA BONGO MAN
All programming is FREE and open to the PUBLIC
All events will take place at The Sonja Haynes Stone Center at UNC-Chapel Hill
The Sonya Haynes Stone Center
150 South Road
Chapel Hill, NC 27599
All events will take place at The Sonja Haynes Stone Center at UNC-Chapel Hill
The Sonya Haynes Stone Center
150 South Road
Chapel Hill, NC 27599
Celebrating Congo Cultural Festival & Interdisciplinary Conference Program
4-5 October, 2013
UNC Chapel Hill
Friday 4 Oct:
7.00pm Spoken Word by Sacrificial Poets and Special Viewing of 'Art on the FrontLine' Short Film Series from Congo
7.30pm Sneak Preview of Mabele na Biso, a documentary film by Petna Ndaliko
8.00pm Q&A with Director Petna Ndaliko and community organizer Samuel Yagasse
Saturday 5 Oct:
10.30am Welcome address and notes on the Context of Congo by Drs. Nzongola and Ndaliko
11.00-12.30 Art and Advocacy in Congo
A roundtable discussion with Petna Ndaliko, Lubangi Muniania, and Dr. Chérie Rivers Ndaliko
Moderated by Ashley Nemiro
1.00-2.30pm Congo Advocacy in the US
A roundtable discussion with representatives of Friends of the Congo, the Enough Project, and DRC Apeparel
Moderated by Pierce Freelon
2:30-3:00pm Live Skype conversation with Laye Uwera and Gaius Kowene, rising international journalists trained at Y!A Goma
3.00-5.00pm Congo in Perspective
A roundtable discussion with Dr. VY Mudimbe, Dr. Georges Nzongola-Ntalaja, and Muadi Mukenge
Moderated by Dr. Eunice Sahle
5.00-7.00pm Food and Live Fashion show by DRC Apeparel and Mamafrica
7.00-9.00pm Kanda Bongo Man live at UNC!
All Programming Is Free, Public And Will Take Place At The Sonya Haynes Stone Center at UNC Chapel Hill
7.00pm Spoken Word by Sacrificial Poets and Special Viewing of 'Art on the FrontLine' Short Film Series from Congo
7.30pm Sneak Preview of Mabele na Biso, a documentary film by Petna Ndaliko
8.00pm Q&A with Director Petna Ndaliko and community organizer Samuel Yagasse
Saturday 5 Oct:
10.30am Welcome address and notes on the Context of Congo by Drs. Nzongola and Ndaliko
11.00-12.30 Art and Advocacy in Congo
A roundtable discussion with Petna Ndaliko, Lubangi Muniania, and Dr. Chérie Rivers Ndaliko
Moderated by Ashley Nemiro
1.00-2.30pm Congo Advocacy in the US
A roundtable discussion with representatives of Friends of the Congo, the Enough Project, and DRC Apeparel
Moderated by Pierce Freelon
2:30-3:00pm Live Skype conversation with Laye Uwera and Gaius Kowene, rising international journalists trained at Y!A Goma
3.00-5.00pm Congo in Perspective
A roundtable discussion with Dr. VY Mudimbe, Dr. Georges Nzongola-Ntalaja, and Muadi Mukenge
Moderated by Dr. Eunice Sahle
5.00-7.00pm Food and Live Fashion show by DRC Apeparel and Mamafrica
7.00-9.00pm Kanda Bongo Man live at UNC!
All Programming Is Free, Public And Will Take Place At The Sonya Haynes Stone Center at UNC Chapel Hill
Celebrating Congo 2013 Special Guests
Annie Callaway is an Advocacy Associate for the Enough Project focusing on coordinating the Conflict-Free Campus Initiative as part of the Raise Hope for Congo Campaign. She previously traveled to northern Uganda with the School for International Training, where she spent four months living with a host family, traveling around the country, and conducting research on post-conflict transformation in the Acholi sub-region.
Ashley Nemiro currently lives in Carrboro and is pursuing her PhD. While in the DRC conducting research, she decided that she couldn’t leave without co-creating a space for the women to rebuild communities through the arts. She continues to travel back and forth to Bukavu, DRC to be involved in the creation of Mamafrica.
Rachel Finn is an Advocacy Associate with the Enough Project, where she works with grassroots and diaspora communities across the U.S. through political engagement. Previously, she was a Faiths Act Fellow at the San Francisco Interfaith Council, mobilizing local communities around malaria and global health projects in interfaith settings.
Pierce Freelon is a hip hop artist, social entrepreneur and teacher with a passion for creativity and community. Front man of the genre bending quartet, The Beast, Freelon's music has been hailed as a "natural, engaging blend of jazz and hip hop" by Jazz Times Magazine. Freelon is also the co-founder of ARTVSM, which collaborates between progressive artists and community organizations.
Ndungi Githuku is a filmmaker, poet, musician, and actor. Inspired by the MauMau Freedom Fighters, he uses his talent to fight for Social Justice and Freedom. Githuku has been working as a Human Rights Activist since the very early 90s shifting from “activism to artivism” more recently.
Kanda Bongo Man and the Orchestra Belle Mambo are the Soukous superstars in the continent of Africa since the 80s. They have performed in various venues and stadiums throughout the continent of Africa, Europe, Australia, Middle East, Canada, and the USA. Many African heads of states claim them as the leading “ambassadors” of popular culture of Africa because of their international popularity.
Lubangi Muniania is an Art Educator, specialized in the visual and performing arts of Africa and the president of Tabilulu Productions. He has worked in museums, festivals and cultural centers and written articles for newspapers, essays for museum publications and universities. . He has also produced documentaries and educational events for several notable universities, networks, and radio programs.
Alphonse Mutima teaches Swahili as a Lecturer in the UNC African and Afro-American Studies Department. His current research includes Swahili pedagogy and varieties and comparative linguistics.
Muadi Mukenge is the Sub- Saharan Africa program director for the Global Fund for Women. She has contributed to several articles on women's rights and African development and regularly writes opinions pieces.
Dr. V.Y. Mudimbe is a Newman Ivey White Professor of Literature at Duke University. His interests are in phenomenology and structuralism, with a focus on the practice of everyday language. He regularly teaches on French existentialism, theories of difference, phenomenology, ancient Greek geography, and African themes.
Dr. Chérie Rivers Ndaliko is an assistant professor whose research focuses on radical arts interventions in conflict regions of Africa. Her particular focus is on the role of film and music in movements of social and political change in the DRC. She is the Executive Director of SKIFF and Yole!Africa in Goma DRC and the faculty advisor to Yole!Africa US at UNC.
Petna Ndaliko Katondolo is an internationally acclaimed filmmaker and activist. He is the founder and Artistic Director of Yole!Africa, SKIFF, and Alkebu Film Productions based in Goma, Congo. Petna Ndaliko’s cinematic style combines rhythm, image, and social critique with digital innovation to challenge traditional narrative structures. His films skirt the boundary of fiction and reality and provoke reflection on post-colonial African realities. His most recent work is titled Mabele na biso.
Dr. Georges Nzongola-Ntalaja is a Professor in the African and Afro-American Studies Department at UNC. He has served as President of the African Studies Association of the United States (ASA) and of the African Association of Political Science (AAPS), and is the author of several books and numerous articles on African politics, development, and conflict issues.
Dr. Eunice Sahle is an Associate Professor in the African and Afro-American Studies Department and Curriculum in Global Studies, and Chair of the African and Afro-American Studies Department. Her teaching interests include development studies, international political economy, human rights, cities, ethics and social movements.
Dr. Bob White is an Associate Professor of social anthropology at the University of Montreal. His research interests are popular music in Africa, especially in Congo-Kinshasa, theory of cross-cultural understanding, popular culture, medias, epistemology and ethnographic fieldwork.
Samuel Yagasse is an internationally acclaimed community organizer, whose pariticipation in the GOVA initiative has started a new movement of autonomous development in central Congo..
DRC ApeParel is a brand for urban-minded, socially-conscious young adults. Founded by Congolese-Americans, Eric B. Ndelo and Roderick B. Vakala, as well as international street culture enthusiast, Tony Mercer, the brand fuses the urban aesthetics of international street culture with the principles of Pan-African movements and style.
The Enough Project fights to end genocide and crimes against humanity, focused on areas where some of the world’s worst atrocities occur. The Raise Hope for Congo campaign aims to build a permanent and diverse constituency of activists who will advocate for the human rights of all Congolese citizens and work towards ending the ongoing conflict in eastern Congo through raising awareness.
Friends of the Congo aims to raise the consciousness of the world community on the challenge of the Congo and support Congolese institutions in bringing about a peaceful and lasting change. Their ultimate goal is to create a peaceful and prosperous Congo wherein Congolese are able to fulfill their enormous human and natural potential.
Mamafrica is an ethical accessories and clothing label that combines African style with products that have a larger purpose. When you invest in a product handmade by the women of Mamafrica, you are giving the mamas a chance at a life they have always imagined. Mamafrica has created a safe haven for these women to regain their independence, express their voice, take control, and move mountains.
Ashley Nemiro currently lives in Carrboro and is pursuing her PhD. While in the DRC conducting research, she decided that she couldn’t leave without co-creating a space for the women to rebuild communities through the arts. She continues to travel back and forth to Bukavu, DRC to be involved in the creation of Mamafrica.
Rachel Finn is an Advocacy Associate with the Enough Project, where she works with grassroots and diaspora communities across the U.S. through political engagement. Previously, she was a Faiths Act Fellow at the San Francisco Interfaith Council, mobilizing local communities around malaria and global health projects in interfaith settings.
Pierce Freelon is a hip hop artist, social entrepreneur and teacher with a passion for creativity and community. Front man of the genre bending quartet, The Beast, Freelon's music has been hailed as a "natural, engaging blend of jazz and hip hop" by Jazz Times Magazine. Freelon is also the co-founder of ARTVSM, which collaborates between progressive artists and community organizations.
Ndungi Githuku is a filmmaker, poet, musician, and actor. Inspired by the MauMau Freedom Fighters, he uses his talent to fight for Social Justice and Freedom. Githuku has been working as a Human Rights Activist since the very early 90s shifting from “activism to artivism” more recently.
Kanda Bongo Man and the Orchestra Belle Mambo are the Soukous superstars in the continent of Africa since the 80s. They have performed in various venues and stadiums throughout the continent of Africa, Europe, Australia, Middle East, Canada, and the USA. Many African heads of states claim them as the leading “ambassadors” of popular culture of Africa because of their international popularity.
Lubangi Muniania is an Art Educator, specialized in the visual and performing arts of Africa and the president of Tabilulu Productions. He has worked in museums, festivals and cultural centers and written articles for newspapers, essays for museum publications and universities. . He has also produced documentaries and educational events for several notable universities, networks, and radio programs.
Alphonse Mutima teaches Swahili as a Lecturer in the UNC African and Afro-American Studies Department. His current research includes Swahili pedagogy and varieties and comparative linguistics.
Muadi Mukenge is the Sub- Saharan Africa program director for the Global Fund for Women. She has contributed to several articles on women's rights and African development and regularly writes opinions pieces.
Dr. V.Y. Mudimbe is a Newman Ivey White Professor of Literature at Duke University. His interests are in phenomenology and structuralism, with a focus on the practice of everyday language. He regularly teaches on French existentialism, theories of difference, phenomenology, ancient Greek geography, and African themes.
Dr. Chérie Rivers Ndaliko is an assistant professor whose research focuses on radical arts interventions in conflict regions of Africa. Her particular focus is on the role of film and music in movements of social and political change in the DRC. She is the Executive Director of SKIFF and Yole!Africa in Goma DRC and the faculty advisor to Yole!Africa US at UNC.
Petna Ndaliko Katondolo is an internationally acclaimed filmmaker and activist. He is the founder and Artistic Director of Yole!Africa, SKIFF, and Alkebu Film Productions based in Goma, Congo. Petna Ndaliko’s cinematic style combines rhythm, image, and social critique with digital innovation to challenge traditional narrative structures. His films skirt the boundary of fiction and reality and provoke reflection on post-colonial African realities. His most recent work is titled Mabele na biso.
Dr. Georges Nzongola-Ntalaja is a Professor in the African and Afro-American Studies Department at UNC. He has served as President of the African Studies Association of the United States (ASA) and of the African Association of Political Science (AAPS), and is the author of several books and numerous articles on African politics, development, and conflict issues.
Dr. Eunice Sahle is an Associate Professor in the African and Afro-American Studies Department and Curriculum in Global Studies, and Chair of the African and Afro-American Studies Department. Her teaching interests include development studies, international political economy, human rights, cities, ethics and social movements.
Dr. Bob White is an Associate Professor of social anthropology at the University of Montreal. His research interests are popular music in Africa, especially in Congo-Kinshasa, theory of cross-cultural understanding, popular culture, medias, epistemology and ethnographic fieldwork.
Samuel Yagasse is an internationally acclaimed community organizer, whose pariticipation in the GOVA initiative has started a new movement of autonomous development in central Congo..
DRC ApeParel is a brand for urban-minded, socially-conscious young adults. Founded by Congolese-Americans, Eric B. Ndelo and Roderick B. Vakala, as well as international street culture enthusiast, Tony Mercer, the brand fuses the urban aesthetics of international street culture with the principles of Pan-African movements and style.
The Enough Project fights to end genocide and crimes against humanity, focused on areas where some of the world’s worst atrocities occur. The Raise Hope for Congo campaign aims to build a permanent and diverse constituency of activists who will advocate for the human rights of all Congolese citizens and work towards ending the ongoing conflict in eastern Congo through raising awareness.
Friends of the Congo aims to raise the consciousness of the world community on the challenge of the Congo and support Congolese institutions in bringing about a peaceful and lasting change. Their ultimate goal is to create a peaceful and prosperous Congo wherein Congolese are able to fulfill their enormous human and natural potential.
Mamafrica is an ethical accessories and clothing label that combines African style with products that have a larger purpose. When you invest in a product handmade by the women of Mamafrica, you are giving the mamas a chance at a life they have always imagined. Mamafrica has created a safe haven for these women to regain their independence, express their voice, take control, and move mountains.
Celebrating Congo 2013 SPONSORS:
UNC Music Department; African, African American and Diaspora Studies Department, Women and Gender Studies Department, Institute of Arts and Humanities, African Studies Center, Friends of the Congo, The Enough Project, DRC Apeparel, Curriculum in Global Studies, Political Science Department