ECOSYSTEM

In the organizer's words:

ECOSYSTEM
Music theater by and with the Group50:50

While the world's population is gradually realizing that deforestation in the Congo Basin also affects them because it binds large amounts of CO2, the local population is being made the pawn of geopolitical interests. For Ecosystem, GROUP50:50 travels to the north-east of the DR Congo and works with inhabitants of the rainforest to create a multimedia music theater piece about an ecosystem that has gone off the rails. The situation on the ground is complex: environmentalists are fighting against mining companies and timber exporters who, with the support of corrupt politicians, are extracting gold and timber and destroying the forest as a habitat. International nature conservation organizations come into conflict with small farmers, who traditionally clear forest areas for their agriculture, over the protection of biodiversity .

The forest is home to the nomadic Mbuti people-yet their rights to it remain unrecognized. In collaboration with local farmers and the Mbuti community in Bagoia-partners in their earlier project The Ghosts Are Returning (featured at africologneFESTIVAL 2023)-the artists of GROUP50:50 come together to reflect, discuss, and sing about what we have inherited from our ancestors and what we will pass on to future generations.

En dialogue avec la musique traditionnelle de la région du Congo, GROUP50:50 crée une cérémonie transnationale sur l'importance de la forêt pour la population mondiale. www.group5050.net

ARTIST DIRECTOR Eva-Maria Bertschy, Joseph Kasau, Kojack Kossakamvwe, Elia Rediger | WITH Jean-Baptiste Ekaka, Dieu le Veut Sumba, Kojack Kossakamvwe, Elia Rediger, Huguette Tolinga | MUSICAL DIRECTION Kojack Kossakamvwe, Elia Rediger | TEXTS Eva-Maria Bertschy, Jean-Baptiste Ekaka, Patrick Mudekereza, Joseph Kasau, Elia Rediger | VIDEO Joseph Kasau, Moritz von Dungern | COSTUME Cédrick Nzolo, Souleymane Diallo and Janine Werthmann | TECHNICAL MANAGEMENT and LIGHT DESIGN Sylvain Faye | STAGE Sylvain Faye, Elia Rediger | SOUND DESIGN Philipp Ruoff, Elia Rediger | PRODUCTION Camille Jamet, HERProductions and Isaac Yenga | TOURMANAGEMENT Luca Maier and Isaac Yenga | RECHERCHE Jean de Dieu Aybeka | PRODUCTION GROUP50:50 | COPRODUCTION Residenz Schauspiel Leipzig, Kaserne Basel and Centre d'Art Waza Lubumbashi IN COOPERATION WITH Caritas Wamba, the communities of Bagoia and Asandabo FINANCIAL SUPPORT Fachausschuss Tanz & Theater Basel-Stadt / Basel-Landschaft, Pro Helvetia, Swiss Arts Council, Migros Culture Percentage, Südkulturfonds, Ernst Göhner Foundation, Corymbo Foundation, Schweizerische Interpretenstiftung, GEA Waldviertler

ALTE FEUERWACHE, BÜHNE | KÖLN-PREMIERE | June 21, 9 pm | June 22, 6 pm | DURATION 1:45 h | LANGUAGES French and German with German and French surtitles

Price information:

SOLIDARY PRICING SYSTEM The idea of the solidarity pricing system is that each person decides for themselves how much they pay to attend an event. The hope is that the average income will balance out and more people will attend cultural events. For a society based on solidarity. Prices for individual events 12€ africologneBASIS - Reduced ticket: culture for many! 18€ africologneDEAL - Discounted ticket for culture enthusiasts! 24€ africologneSTANDARD - Regular ticket for the cultural experience! 33€ africologneSOLIDARISCH - Soliticket for all those who can give more! 45€ africologneGROSSZÜGIG - Premium ticket for committed cultural supporters (slightly different prices apply for readings and combination tickets)