Lucas Katangila

In KOTI YA RAÏSI, or La Veste Du President in Swahili, Lucas Katangila exposes the perverse effects of globalization and abuse. With this dance solo, he connects two worlds in conflict and fights for justice, truth and reparation. By highlighting the dark side of a country and region: the everyday violence, the exploitation of the black population to the plunde of African resources, he simultaneously denounces the silence and negligence of supranational institutions and Western media.

Au Congo il y a une course au pouvoir, chaque politicien porte une veste pour montrer son pouvoir et s’emparer d’une partie des richesses du pays.

Lucas Katangila is a choreographer, dancer and performer with a passion for hip hop, contemporary and traditional African dance. Through the Mboka Dance Family – in Goma where he grew up – he has been introduced to dance and playing instruments such as djembe, likemb kalumbatini, marimba, dungu and kinubi since an early age.

Together with some friends, he founded a project there with street children and child soldiers – Ndoto mchezo za watoto (Dream of child dancers) with a clear message: ‘STOP the abuse of children on the front lines of war.’ For Lucas, dance is a weapon that he uses as a tool for education, empowerment and conveying a political message. Choreography and movement create a safe collective space, a moment to stop the violence.

Today, Lucas studies in Brussels at the Institut Supérieur des Arts et Choregraphies ISAC. He also dances with SLAYERS DANCE COMPANY, AMIZEROK East African Boléro, and in his own company MBOKA DANCE Cie. He performed in festivals and battles across Africa and Europe such as Sakata Dance Battle Kenya, Mayfest UK, Congolisation Festival, Kunstenfestivaldesarts … In 2020 he won the Roel Verniers Prize for his dance solo Ndoto (to be seen at HET THEATERFESTIVAL 2021).

Also read the interview with Lucas in BRUZZ, click here

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