Rwandan musician and producer Mizzy talks about upcoming efficiency at 2025 Africa Week throughout an interview with The Korea Occasions in Seoul, Friday. Korea Occasions photograph by Shim Hyun-chul
2025 Africa Week, an annual occasion selling the cultures of quite a few African international locations in Korea, will highlight the music and dance traditions of Rwanda at this 12 months’s version, co-hosted by the Korea-Africa Basis and The Korea Occasions.
A six-member troupe of musicians and dancers will carry out on Saturday, presenting conventional musical and theatrical parts to a Korean viewers. The occasion will happen at S-Manufacturing facility D Corridor in Seoul’s fashionable Seongsu-dong between 11 a.m. and eight p.m.
The troupe’s chief, Mizzy, stated the present goals to create a second of cultural connection between Korea and Africa.
“We’re happy to be in Korea. Come and discover what we have now in widespread,” Mizzy stated in an interview with The Korea Occasions in Seoul on Friday.
The group is about to carry out “intore,” Rwanda’s iconic conventional dance, accompanied by “gakondo” music. Gakondo refers to Rwanda’s conventional music. They’ve introduced conventional devices, together with the “inanga,” a Rwandan 8- string instrument, and the “ingoma,” a conventional drum.
“I do know Korea has devices much like ours,” Mizzy stated, referring to Korea’s “gayageum,” a conventional zither, and the “janggu,” a tradtional drum.
A musician and producer, Mizzy works to advertise conventional Rwandan music each at dwelling and overseas. He additionally resides part-time in Belgium, the place he continues to participate in music tasks as a sound artist.
“Music is a common language. I attempt to spotlight what we share as a group by means of music,” he stated.
For the Seoul efficiency, Mizzy has assembled a short lived ensemble, which incorporates a number of members of Rwanda’s nationwide ballet troupe.
Requested about his go to to Korea, he stated he had lengthy been conscious of the similarities between the 2 international locations’ musical traditions. “That’s why I actually wished to go to Korea. I’m hoping to observe some conventional Korean performances whereas I’m right here,” he added.
Along with the Rwandan group, 2025 Africa Week will characteristic performances by Roots Djemcol, a Korean band specializing in West African Manding music, and Vuyo Gaga, a South African singer primarily based in Korea.
Established in 2018, the Korea-Africa Basis has organized a variety of cultural applications, with Africa Week serving as its flagship occasion. Past Africa Week, the inspiration additionally hosts the annual Korea-Africa Enterprise Discussion board; helps exchanges and cooperation between Korea and African international locations throughout private and non-private sectors; and publishes books on Africa. One such e-book can be featured in a chat session throughout Saturday’s program.
