May 12, 2017, Berlin, Spreewerkstätten/Alte Münze, Molkenmarkt 2, 9:30 p.m.
On May 12, the “Lange Nacht der Ideen” will take place in Berlin, where the Federal Foreign Office and its intermediary and partner organizations will present their worldwide cultural and educational projects. Siemens Stiftung will present the music platform “Music In Africa” in the Spreewerkstätten. After a podium discussion on “Networked Worlds: Coproductions in Cultural Work”, the South African band BCUC and the Kenyan DJ Blinky Bill can be heard. Admission is free.
“How can we change the world for the better?” – the South African band BCUC (Bantu Continua Uhuru Consciousness) addresses this question time and time again with their music. With strong percussion and a breathtaking singing duo, the seven musicians from Soweto draw a positive picture of the future of Africa, but they also do not mince their words when talking about the subject: “For a good future, we all need to do something,” says band leader Jovi Nkosi. Known for clear references to traditional music and “black consciousness” lyrics, BCUC is an example of the dynamism and unique optimism of the music world in Africa.
“In Africa, music has the potential to reflect social changes and upheavals in a very special way, to address social grievances, and to liberate creative forces for solidarity”, emphasizes Jens Cording, Project Manager for Culture at Siemens Stiftung. “With the concert in Berlin, we want to bring the multifaceted, emerging creative industry in Africa to other parts of the world and create opportunities for mutual exchange.”
Before the concert, a podium discussion will therefore take a closer look at the opportunities of international artistic cooperation, using the example of “Music In Africa”. The music platform was initiated by Siemens Stiftung and the Goethe-Institut and aims to connect the music sectors in Africa and highlight employment opportunities in the cultural field. Since 2017, the Federal Foreign Office has been promoting the expansion of the project to seven African countries experiencing conflict and crises. Participants: Walter Lindner, Secretary of State at the Federal Foreign Office, Johannes Ebert, Secretary General of the Goethe-Institut, and Dr. Nathalie von Siemens, Managing Director of Siemens Stiftung. Presenter: Julia Vismann, radioeins.
After the discussion: Party with DJ Blinky Bill from Kenya – a danceable mix of electro, Kenyan music, and hip-hop.
Program:
09:00 p.m.: Admission
09:30 p.m.: Panel discussion: “Networked Worlds: Coproductions in Cultural Work”
10:00 p.m.: Concert by the band BCUC
11:30 p.m.: Party with DJ Blinky Bill
02:00 a.m.: End of the event
Music In Africa:
“Music In Africa” is an Internet platform dedicated to information and exchange and devoted to the African music sector. More than 120 English- and French-speaking authors from all over the continent regularly publish articles there. Siemens Stiftung, the Goethe-Institut, and the Federal Foreign Office support the development of the portal. The aim of the cooperation is to create a sustainable structure with local partners, which contributes to a pulsating music scene on the continent. The pan-African Music In Africa Foundation acts as a governing organization.
http://musicinafrica.net / https://www.siemens-stiftung.org/en/projects/music-in-africa/