Traumatismes - Traumata

Is it possible to celebrate 50 years of African Independence? What has happened since? With "Traumatism" Ousmane Aledji artistically takes stock. Sarcastic, sometimes resigned, then again angry, explosive, fierce, he stages the collective memory of the "little people". What has become of the Pan-African visions of Césaire, Lumumba or Nkrumah?

Inspired by Aimé Césaire’s play “A Season in the Congo”, Aledji connects theatre with video projections, dance and hip hop. In this case, hip hop makes the insurrection of historical knowledge possible and becomes a contemporary artistic medium of learning about Africa.

“Ousmane Aledji’s theatre is a theatre of urgency, a truly contemporary opus.“ http://www.theatre-ephemere.fr/

“How can one be optimistic when one is enraged? Is it possible to talk about independence without reminding colonisation? Thus, is it possible to talk about colonisation without becoming irate? Is it possible to create a new future without facing one's past?” Ousmane Aledji about “Traumatism”.

Ousmane Aledji, born in Benin in 1970, is an author, poet and playwright. In 1993 he founded the Agbo-N'Koko theater company in Cotonou, Benin. Since 1995, Aledji is the chairman of the Association of Beninese Plawrights and the editor of the Art Magazine ARTISTTIK-AFRICA. His stagings are marked by a distinctively impressive, forthright and unruly way.

After the performance on October 28 there will be a public discussion with the director and his company.

This project is presented by AfricAvenir International e.V. in cooperation with Haus der Kulturen der Welt and supported by „Aktion Afrika“ of the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs.