Jolie Ngemi
MBOK’ELENGI
Tickets
Language: French and English
Duration: 60 minutes
Sensory notes: Stroboscopic lights for about 5 minutes
Accessibility: A sign language interpreter will be present before the performance. The interpreter will also translate the opening speech following the play into Swiss German sign language.
Six vibration vests will also be available. The vests convert music and sounds into perceptible vibrations.
Further information:
Before the performance, there will be a Welcome Apéro between 17:30 – 18:30.
Following the performance, the opening ceremony of Swiss Dance Days will take place in the Turbine Hall. This will be followed by the opening night party with DJ Apinti from 9:00 p.m. to midnight.
In the Lingala language, «MBOK’ELENGI» stands for pleasure and joie de vivre. This concept was adopted by Congolese youth and has become a popular (survival) slogan in the streets of Kinshasa. For her impressive group piece with the eponymous title «MBOK’ELENGI», Jolie Ngemi translates this attitude to contemporary dance. Five dancers interpret famous Congolese dances on stage, with music of the Sebene style. Their movements are inspired by the struggle against injustice in Congo and a profound wish for liberation. They powerfully question hegemonial codes which intensify inequality and impoverish the poor even further, enriching the richest instead. Before the audience’s eyes, a piece unfolds that is political, foments resistance and gives hope in equal parts. A danced manifesto against injustice!
