About this event
On 14 December 2026, the Congolese community in Belgium will celebrate the fifth anniversary of the inscription of Congolese Rumba on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list. On this occasion, Bozar, in collaboration with cultural actor Klay Mahungu, is organising a confer nce that will place Congolese Rumba in its historical context. The discussion will cover its evolution from the colonial era to icons such as Papa Wemba and Fally Ipupa, including key moments like the Indépendance Cha Cha and the Brussels Round Table. The conference will also highlight Belgium’s role and the contribution of Congolese people in Belgium (the Belgicains) to Congolese Rumba. The event will be enhanced by a live performance from a leading group, showcasing the three main currents of this fascinating music. The group will give educational demonstrations of Dr Nico’s guitar style, Franco Luambo Makiadi’s style, and the Cavacha, the style for which Pépé Felly Manuaku is a reference. Students will be able to:? Understand how Congolese rumba reflects history and the connections between Congo and Belgium.? Discover the key figures and the evolution of this emblematic musical genre.? Observe and listen to different rumba styles through live musical demonstrations.
