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CULTURE

[CULTURE-BOOK] – Senegalese author Aïssatou Diamanka-Besland participates in a collective book

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The Senegalese author Aïssatou Diamanka-Besland participated in the writing of a collective book entitled: “Meeting at UNESCO, Light on the Feathers of African Diasporas” which brings together some fifteen authors who participated in the 1st edition of the Authors’ Fair of UNESCO’s African Week in 2019, which is led by Ms Paulette Correa. She released the video presentation of her text that was produced as part of African Week from November 23 to 26, 2021. She addressed the theme of slavery in this book. See the full video:  

“Hello, I am Aïssatou Diamanka-Besland writer, journalist, entrepreneur with political science background. In this collective book entitled “Meetings at UNESCO. Light on the feathers of African diasporas”, I addressed the issue of slavery. A central theme that transcends my writings in their totality. My text is entitled “Pont Suture Gorée Gorgée”. In this text, the main character is named after Wilson. He is an African-American, a son of a former slave who goes back to his ancestors. It is on the island of goré that he lands. Through this peril, it plunges back into the terrible history of slavery, that is to say, into the meanders of the triangular trade which had as protagonist Europe-Africa and America. Africa of course to its detriment and without its consent will be scarred with a sword. 



For more than four centuries, that is to say more than 400 years, men and women, the most able-bodied, the most beautiful, the most solid, will be torn from their land to go work in the plantations of America. These sons and daughters of Africa, who have become conquerors under duress, thrown into a new world, will be dehumanized, chosed, animalized, deprived of all their essence, of all their meaning, of all their humanity. 

Indeed, through this unprecedented historical fact because the trade of African man became a gondola-headed product of European slave supermarkets is organized Europe seizes, He seized, grabbed the neck of Africa to confiscate more than 12 million African deportees between the 15th and late 19th century. The slaves were bound, chained and crammed to the bottom of a bilge for a perilous crossing. Wilson discovers with amazement his painful history on this island of Goré not far from the peninsula of Cape Verde, as do every year other grandsons and granddaughters of former slaves to understand the why of this inhuman trade. Through this dense journey, this historical quest for Wilson, he discovers how his ancestors were parked in this transit area before arriving in the lands of America, the West Indies, Haiti or Brazil.

The text is simple, dynamic, rhythmic, sometimes poetic. In front of Joe Ndiaye former co-keeper of the House of Slaves of Gorée, Wilson does not manage to hold back his tears of pain, unhappiness, distress. 

This is my participation in this collective book initiated by Jean Célestin Anjangué, an idea that began at the 1st UNESCO Authors’ Fair in 2019 which was a great meeting for African authors from the continent and the diaspora. Finally, as I often say: the evolution of Africa, its elevation, is when the narrative returns to its children. Every line produced by a child of MAMA AFRICA must be celebrated!”

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CULTURE

IVORY COAST – Ninwlou will be in Concert Slam on next Saturday

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On Saturday, September 14, 2024, at 7:30 pm, at the Wafou in Biétri, Nin’wlou, the slammer poet, will be in Concert Slam. When I talk about him, many will say it’s “something else”. And they’ll be right, because it’s going to be “Something Else” than a concert.

Around the slam
Even if the slam is now highly publicized “Le slam va bien, comme le disent les slameurs eux-mêmes”, it remains that it still hesitates to submit easily to attempts of definition, classification. It is a concept that could be described as polysemic since it is quite fluffy. Poetry? What poetry? A form of poetry? Singing? Rap?… A kind of African orality? Or a form of expression that is an intersection of several forms of artistic expression… Also, to be established in this environment (as elsewhere), any slameur must be original, that is to say, stand out from the crowd and draw crowds. And that’s Nin’wlou! Do not always recite the same texts without breath and avoid to invoke to pull-larigot common places devoid of charm. To be at the top, the slameur must always surprise himself. Ninwlou has understood this so well that he is now one of the essential voices of slam in West Africa.

Something else, like a maieutic
One thing is certain: “Autre Chose” will be “Of lightning and lightning: song of embers for a freedom in flames” – Thank you to the Muses with winged breasts for inspiring me this phrase: incruster Jean-Marie Adiaffi in this Autre Chose that Nin’wlou is about to offer. This association of poets prophesies what will happen. In this slam concert, the speech will be sometimes fire, sometimes embers; in any case, it will be something different than everything you have seen or heard on the slam. Artistic magic is using everyday words to breathe their own breath. Today and for eternity, the slam will remember that Nin’wlou did something else.

When the crisis gives rise to a vocation
Yet Nin’wlou’s love of words only began in 2010, the year of the post-election crisis in Côte d’Ivoire. As what, some brains only come to boil when bullets whistle over their heads. Since then, he has been constantly receiving awards and honours, both in the music scene “Man Tchè”, “Niehi, “Pour ces mômes” and in literature (Marche du Feu, 2022).

A voice for the future
With his voice a little nastily, Nin’wlou slame like a stand-upper. Donel Jack’sman sums up the artist’s art perfectly with this phrase: “… it is when a guy has the grace to make you believe that everything he tells is not written, that it is totally impro.” Nin’wlou energizes words, even those that are outdated, with an elegant panache. Go see Nin’wlou on stage unrolling his great lyric poetry. The slam of Nin’wlou, metaphors that trap and dazzle: the poetic panenka.

Ninw’lou

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CULTURE

SENEGAL – Mia Guissé sets fire to Casino of Paris: an anthology concert

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On Saturday, September 7, 2024, it was in the midst of the greatest success, quite enthusiastically, and in the presence of a large audience that a brilliant evening took place at the Casino de Paris. An exceptional event was on the program: the first major concert of Mia Guissé, organized by Boss +, the company for broadcasting and production of live shows. The Senegalese diaspora, as well as many music lovers, have experienced a magnificent concert, punctuated by the appearances of renowned artists such as Axel Merryl, Waly Seck or JAHMAN X-PRESS… For those who could not attend the event for reasons beyond their control, here are the highlights of this memorable evening where Senegal was celebrated in the heart of Paris. 

A lively atmosphere and a captivated audience
When we talk about a musical show, it is often the artist who is put forward; we don’t talk much about the orchestra. Before Mia’s arrival, the audience was enthralled by the skillful one who heated up the room with the energetic performance of Angie la Showkine. Then, come the friendly Seny Diop, star of mbalax, and the group Serigne Mor, who take the public with breath with its unmatched percussions. Congratulations to Boss +, who did not skimp on the means to make this concert a success.

Mia Guissé: a royal entrance and unforgettable duets
It is around 9 pm that Mia Guissé enters the room. The applause is thunderous, and the light plays sublimate his arrival. Wearing a glittering outfit, she begins with “IDDA”, the famous title that made her fame. The audience loves it. The cheers are running. With each of his songs, drawn from his repertoire, the brilliant star of the Casino, with the sharpest brightness of his voice, raises the thunder of applause. Throughout the evening, the singer never stopped surprising, chaining the songs with impeccable control. The show gains crescendo in intensity as guest artists take turns to take their place on the podium. The moving moment is when guest artist Axel Merryl joins her on stage. Together, they perform “Titulaire”, an already cult piece. The chemistry between the two artists is palpable. The duo inflames the room. But that’s not all: Mia also shares the stage with Waly Ballago Seck on the hit «Confuse». There are also artists like Jahman X-PRESS who, with his singular style, contributed to the show.

Spectacular outfits
Mia Guissé is dazzled not only by her talent, but also by her breathtaking outfits. As soon as she enters, she attracts all eyes with a white dress illuminated by garlands. As the show goes on, she follows with a bold denim outfit, composed of a corset and trousers with original details. Not forgetting her origins, she winks at the Peulh culture by wearing a traditional white boubou, embellished with jewelry and accessories.

A promising career
Mia Guissé has once again proved that she is a complete artist, both in her musical talent and her stage presence. This concert at the Casino de Paris, we hope, is just a new stage in a promising career. And hats to Boss + who always manages to make good African music heard in Paris by the African diaspora.

MIA GUISSÉ

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CULTURE

SENEGAL – MIA GUISSÉ, AN ARTIST WHO ROCKS

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See you on Saturday, September 7, 2024 at 8 pm at the Casino de Paris. But it will not be to play blackjack, baccarat or even poker. The venue will be the stage of a large-scale musical show, organized by Boss Plus & Co, where Mia Guissé intends to make you go through all kinds of emotions. You will be warned!

Origins
Her real name is Aïssata Guissé, and she comes from Tambacounda, Senegal. She is not a novice who entered the music on a whim. At a very young age, she began performing at events in her home region. Then, after joining a group for a few years, she decides to go it alone. However, it is her title “Idda” that will reveal her to the world and make her enter the hearts of music lovers.

Career is a blast
The heart of music lovers conquered, this lovely singer with a sultry aura chases the tubes, starting with “Life is beautiful”, followed by “GLP” (2023), a *ndeweneul* with a frenetic rhythm and high in color. She then wins her ticket to skim the catwalks. She is not going to rest on her laurels and starts a tour of Senegal with “Éclosion”, as if to say that now the caterpillar has become a butterfly. Everywhere she goes, it’s sold out. There’s no one in the arts community but her. Obviously, it gets the title of «Tsunami de la musique sénégalaise» as it attracts crowds.

Mia Guissé @Photo page Facebook Mia Guissé

Haunting music
Her songs, with effervescent rhythms, are tinged with hip-hop. But when you listen closely, it is clearly afropop that she makes. Mia borrows a lot from the mbalax, with a sublime voice that gives the wolof a unique sound. Even if her flow is similar to that of Nigerian artists, Mia manages to retain this characteristic touch of mbalax. It’s true that her stage outfits don’t appeal to everyone, but it’s her personality. We’ll say she is like this! Let’s take it that way.

From success to success
In November 2023, it is the consecration when she releases a breathtaking single: “Lonkotina”. The video reaches one million views in less than 48 hours, an artistic feat. It means only one thing: the audience loves it. She multiplies collaborations with artists from different backgrounds. In May 2024, she released a new single whose clip, shot on the shores of the Ébrié lagoon in Abidjan, captivates music lovers. In an afropop style, she shows herself comfortable on mbalax.

Mia Guissé @Photo page Facebook Mia Guissé

A multi-talented artist
This rising star of Senegalese music has more than a string to its bow. In addition to being a great singer, Mia Guissé is also an accomplished designer. She designs and creates her own stage outfits, as well as those of her dancers and all the other members of her orchestra. All her clothing is branded with the brand “Miaguissestyle”, a brand that embodies a modern and authentic African vision of fashion.

A concert not to be missed
Mia Guissé will perform on September 7 at the Casino de Paris, and the atmosphere promises to be an unforgettable moment for her fans. This concert will start at 8 p.m. You are all invited. We have reserved our seats. You are the only ones missing! At the Casino de Paris, we’re gonna blow up the bank.

Mia Guissé @Photo page Facebook Mia Guissé

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