Rumba Battle: From Kinshasa to Cité Gély - Concert by Borumba and Los Nenos

As part of the Euro Africa Biennale in Montpellier, we aim to foster a dialogue between cultures from both continents. This is the case with rumba, a musical style originating in Cuba that has continued to evolve and spread to different parts of the world.
For this evening, we offer you a musical and culinary journey between Kinshasa and the Cité Gely, between Congolese rumba and Catalan rumba, itself derived from flamenco rumba.

Jocelyn Balu & Borumba

Rumba runs through Jocelyn Balu's veins like beer waters the zinc of Kinshasa's maquis. At a time when, in 2021, rumba has just been inscribed on UNESCO's intangible heritage list, Jocelyn Balu and his companions take us on a journey into the feverish Kinshasa of the 1940s to 1970s, the golden age of Congolese rumba. From Basi nionso tapale to the cult refrain of Marie-Louise, Balu pays homage to these essential pioneers who rocked his childhood.

The Babies

Catalan rumba is often a family affair. And a gypsy affair! This is the case for Los Nenos, tireless defenders of Catalan rumba in France. From generation to generation, they continue to keep this musical culture alive and evolving, just as their grandfather Diego Baliardo, co-founder of the legendary Gipsy Kings, did.