The Echo of the Balafons

Show & Culture

An unprecedented alliance: L’Écho des Balafons and Black History Month join forces! The non-profit organizations PAP (Production d’Artistes Pluriels), WIC (West Indies Continent), Créolux and One People are proud to announce their first collaboration Two major events on Luxembourg’s cultural scene are joining forces to create a unique experience, combining artistic celebration and historical reflection on African and Caribbean cultures. On one side, the L’ÉCHO DES BALAFONS festival, led by PAP – a vibrant celebration of the music and dances of Africa and the Caribbean. Programme: 10am–12pm: Dundanse workshop with BAMBA CAMARA (Guinea Conakry) 12pm–2pm: Traditional dance workshops with AMINATA TOURE (Guinea Conakry), 2pm–4pm: Gwoka dance workshop with QUEENY (Caribbean) 4pm–5pm: Dancehall workshop with MAMZ (Mix, hip/hop, dancehall) 4pm–5pm: Djembe workshop with SOULEYMAN (Guinea Conakry) 2pm–7pm: --Caribbean costume creation --Themed drawing art workshop --Body painting for children --Balloon creation for children --Hairdressing workshop for everyone EXHIBITION: BAYE GALLO will be present for an exhibition of his works. A must-see. CONCERTS 8pm–8:30pm: Dakka and So GNAWA (Morocco) 8:30pm–9:30pm: D'STANCE (Caribbean) 9:30pm–10:30pm: Grupo PILON (Cape Verde) 10:30pm–12am: LORD KOSSITY and IRIE STAR (Reggae/Dancehall) African village with tastings and culinary discoveries. An immersion in the rhythms that make the diaspora vibrate. 5pm–8pm: On the other side, the opening of BLACK HISTORY MONTH – a major civic event organized by One People, featuring conferences, screening-discussions and musical interludes to (re)discover the history and contributions of Afro-descendant communities. A space for dialogue and remembrance open to all, without barriers. What this union will change: For the first time, celebration and reflection will go hand in hand The energy of the festival and the depth of Black History Month will respond to one another, offering the public a hybrid programme in which musical interludes will punctuate the conferences and debates. The participatory workshops will become spaces for intergenerational transmission. The L’Écho des Balafons stage will welcome the artists and speakers of Black History Month and complement their programme with evening concerts. Why this partnership? Because culture is a universal language of social cohesion. Because celebrating the richness of African and Caribbean heritage cannot be done without dialogue on issues of memory, equality and the fight against discrimination. One People, committed to civic anti-racism and equal opportunities, is joining PAP’s festive momentum to create an event where everyone has their place. Come in large numbers! Together, let’s make the echo of the balafons and the memory of history resound! This cultural event is financially supported by the National Relief Work of Grand Duchess Charlotte and the Ministry of Culture of Luxembourg