From December 4 to 8, Conakry vibrated with the sounds of percussion instruments. National and international cultural activists gather at Camayenne beach and the Franco-Guinean cultural center, to restore the image of Guinea in an area that was once famous.
“Since 1999, Guinea has not done its work on percussion several times,” recalled Dr. Abou Soumah, director general of the International Percussion Centre. He reveals that “instruments are disappearing” across the country, hence the urgency to act. “ most [de ces instruments] is in distress; ie in danger. Therefore, we have to organize events, according to the Minister’s vision. We must save these endangered instruments…”
Countless activities are planned during these four days. “We will have 8 percussion groups competing during the festival. At the end of this, we will reward the winners, but also all the participants will receive participation bonuses with the permission of the Minister. In addition, we also focused on organizing creative residencies. We have a partnership with 3 percussionists, who will be working with 3 percussionists who come during the biennial. They will create a collection and this creation will be the subject of a presentation on the last day of the second year. If it comes to fruition, we hope it could be the subject of an international tour,” announced the general director of the International Percussion Centre.
According to Marc AMBROGIANI,
Artistic director, famous percussionists will come from countries like: “France, India, Morocco, Congo, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Congo, South Africa, Venezuela, Get together and Colombia. They will share their know-how with Guinean percussion, especially in the mix between tradition and electronics.
This Festival shows that the Minister of Culture, Moussa Moïse Sylla, is extremely important: “Don’t see the issue of percussion instruments as a festival issue. There is the issue of employment, there is an economic issue. Because it can create jobs for young people. It can give some hope to our young percussionists. It can create a market, and this is the market we want to create with the international Djembé festival. “, he said. Sustainability is the other dream that the Minister cherishes. To do this, he wants: “to make people say to themselves, what is the next edition? »
Minister Moussa Moïse ended his speech with an announcement. “Guinea is gradually emerging and rising from its ashes culturally. We can do it. All you have to do is believe in it and be committed. »
Abdoul Lory Sylla for guinea7.com
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How can international collaborations benefit the preservation of Guinean percussion heritage?
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Dr. Abou Soumah, Director General of the International Percussion Centre
Time.news Editor: Good morning, Dr. Soumah! Thank you for joining us today. The recent percussion festival in Conakry was a remarkable event. Can you share with our readers what motivated the organization of this festival?
Dr. Abou Soumah: Good morning! It’s a pleasure to be here. The festival was mainly motivated by the urgent need to restore and revitalize Guinea’s rich tradition of percussion music, which has unfortunately faced significant decline since 1999. Many instruments are at risk of extinction, and we saw this event as a critical opportunity to raise awareness and foster action to preserve them.
Time.news Editor: That’s concerning to hear about the instruments being in distress. Can you elaborate on the specific challenges that percussion instruments in Guinea are facing?
Dr. Abou Soumah: Certainly. There are multiple factors at play. Traditional craftsmanship is dwindling, leading to a gradual disappearance of these instruments. Additionally, there’s a lack of engagement with the younger generation, who are increasingly drawn to more contemporary forms of music that don’t honor our traditional sounds. Events like the festival aim to reconnect people with these instruments and educate them about their cultural significance.
Time.news Editor: During the festival, you mentioned that numerous activities were planned and that eight percussion groups competed. What was the goal of these competitions, and how were the participants motivated?
Dr. Abou Soumah: The competitions were designed to foster a spirit of creativity and camaraderie among percussionists. We wanted to encourage healthy competition while also celebrating participation. Each competitor received a participation bonus to recognise their efforts. The ultimate goal was to create an environment where artists could showcase their talents and share experiences, creating a strong sense of community.
Time.news Editor: That sounds invigorating! You also mentioned creative residencies where Guinean percussionists collaborated with international artists. What outcomes do you hope to achieve from these collaborations?
Dr. Abou Soumah: These residencies are exciting! We hope to blend traditional percussion with electronic elements and various musical styles. By working with international musicians from countries like France, India, and South Africa, we aim to create innovative pieces that resonate globally. If successful, this collaboration could lead to an international tour, allowing us to showcase our unique fusion on a broader platform.
Time.news Editor: It’s fascinating how music can transcend borders. The Minister of Culture, Moussa Moïse Sylla, seems to be an advocate for these initiatives. What role does he play in promoting Guinean culture through such events?
Dr. Abou Soumah: Minister Sylla has been instrumental in our efforts. He understands the importance of culture and arts in our national identity. His vision emphasizes the need to not only preserve but also innovate within our traditional practices. His support enables us to host such festivals and encourage partnerships that will truly elevate Guinean culture on the international stage.
Time.news Editor: Dr. Soumah, this initiative sounds like a turning point for Guinea’s cultural heritage. Any final thoughts you’d like to share with our readers?
Dr. Abou Soumah: Yes! I encourage everyone to engage with our cultural heritage. It’s crucial for the younger generation to learn about and appreciate traditional music. By participating in events and supporting our local artists, you’re not just preserving history; you’re also contributing to the evolution of our culture. Together, we can ensure that our percussion legacy continues to thrive.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Dr. Soumah. It has been a pleasure to discuss this vital subject with you. We look forward to seeing the future developments from the International Percussion Centre!
Dr. Abou Soumah: Thank you for having me! I appreciate the platform to discuss these important initiatives.