Bonga

With the same energy that characterised his debuts, Bonga continues to sing of exile, struggle and freedom. At the age of seventy-eight years old and with more than four hundred songs and thirty-two albums under his belt, this iconic musician continues to carve out his musical journey. Born in Angola while the country was still a Portuguese colony, he took advantage of his status as a high-level sportsman – a 400m world champion no less – in his clandestine fight for independence. His cover blown, he sought refuge in Europe and recorded his first albums, which met with an overwhelming success. With his husky voice, he blends different influences, ranging from English folklore to Portuguese fado, together with Brazilian and Cape Verdean rhythms. If his anger in the face of inequality has never left him, his music today is graced with a powerful, gentle, emotive form of melancholy. His concert will be a fitting closure to this edition of the Arts & Humanités festival.

1st part: Badenya Duo
Badenya Duo is the fruit of the encounter between Sékou Dembelé and Jérome Jouannic in Burkina Faso. Ever since then, the duo has been inseparable. In parallel with numerous other projects, this acoustic duo will be presenting us with an intimate evening of music, to the sounds of the kora, balafon and n’goni. Join us in this invitation to new musical horizons. Sékou Dembélé, consummate percussionist and multi-instrumentalist, has been accompanying major names since his adolescent years (including Adam Dramé and Victor Démé). Jérôme Jouannic, drummer and multi-instrumentalist, has a passion for African music. He is the drummer of choice for major Burkinabe acts.