The “Indépendance Rumba” festival is being held on 29 and 30 June at Place de la Gare in Kinshasa. Local artists such as Werrason and Felix Wazekwa are expected to perform. The festival will also welcome guest artists such as Bantous de la Capitale du Congo-Brazzaville, CEARTE from Angola.

This event will be the place to commemorate the thirtieth anniversary of the death of Luambo Mikiadi “Franco”, who died on 12 October 1989. A show will be dedicated to him. Young artists will revisit some of his musical work.

This weekend, the central station square will be transformed into a large Rumba village, where festival-goers will be able to enjoy various Congolese dishes, discover local products, appreciate works of art and watch fashion shows by young Congolese designers.

This cultural event is the result of the collaboration between Fire and Rumba Parade, two festivals that share the fight for the inclusion of Congolese Rumba on the list of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity and the perpetuation of this musical style, which is sought after at national, continental and international levels.