The third edition of the Festiras Rap and Slam festival has successfully concluded in Bukavu, located in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The festival, dedicated to peace and the promotion of local talent, drew thousands of attendees, underscoring the resilience of a region grappling with decades of armed violence.
Eastern DRC has long been plagued by conflict, with over 120 armed groups vying for power, land, and mineral resources. Despite these challenges, the festival aimed to offer hope and foster unity. Alidor Chibembe, the festival organizer, emphasized the importance of change and youth empowerment, stating, “We want to preach the message of peace, the message of living together. So we hope it will work.”
The festival served as a platform for many local, regional, and international artists to spread messages of peace. Notably, French rapper Hiro le Coq, who has Congolese roots, voiced his support for peace in the region. He also denounced what he called “Rwandan aggression,” referring to the ongoing conflict in eastern DRC, where Kinshasa has accused Kigali of supporting the M23 rebels—an accusation that Rwanda has denied.
“We must continue to speak out. There is aggression. But the question is, once you’ve spoken out, what do you do? Above all, once you’ve denounced something, you have to act in your own way, in good conscience,” said le Coq.
With over 10,000 attendees, the event symbolized unity and resistance. David Kasi, a festival-goer, described the experience as more than just a musical event. “Moments like this are important because we’re happy when we see so many people from Bukavu and from other countries, from all over Africa. It allows us to feel togetherness, which helps us to overcome the troubled times we’re going through,” he said.
Festiras not only highlighted the power of music and art but also demonstrated their role as tools for building a better future in the face of adversity. It stood as a powerful call for peace and a hopeful message for the people of eastern DRC.
