If we save the rainforest, we save the climate! With this slogan, international environmental organisations have been justifying their interventions in the equatorial forests for decades. While the world is realizing the need to combat deforestation in the Congo Basin because it sequesters significant amounts of CO2, the local population once again finds itself caught in the crossfire of geopolitical interests. GROUP50:50 travels to the northeastern Congo and collaborates with rainforest residents to create a multimedia music theater piece about a complex ecosystem that is gradually coming apart at the seams.

However, the situation on the ground is complicated: to preserve the overwhelming biodiversity, environmental activists are battling mining companies and timber exporters who extract gold and wood with the support of corrupt politicians. International conservation experts simultaneously find themselves in bloody conflicts with local farmers who traditionally clear the forest for agriculture. And there are also the nomadic Mbuti people. They know the forest better than anyone else because they depend on it for their livelihoods. Although they are considered the "first inhabitants of the forest," no one has recognized their right to the forest. They can only watch as their habitat diminishes.

Together with local farmers and the Mbuti community in Bagoia, with whom they collaborated on their previous piece "The Ghosts Are Returning", the performers and musicians of GROUP50:50 discuss and sing about what we have inherited from our ancestors and what we will leave to future generations. In dialogue with the region's traditional music, they create a transnational ceremony, a ritual attempt to explore the significance of the forest for the fate of the world's population.

A production by GROUP50:50, in co-production with Residenz Schauspiel Leipzig, Kaserne Basel, and Centre d’Art Waza Lubumbashi, in collaboration with Caritas Wamba, the communities of Bagoia and Asandabo.

With financial support from: Fachausschuss Tanz & Theater Basel-Stadt / Basel-Landschaft, Pro Helvetia, Schweizer Kulturstiftung, Südkulturfonds, Migros Kulturprozent, Ernst Göhner Stiftung, Corymbo Stiftung, Schweizerische Interpretenstiftung, GEA Waldviertler

TOUR DATES

Artistic Direction
Eva-Maria Bertschy,
Joseph Kasau
Kojack Kossakamvwe
Elia Rediger

Musical Direction and Composition
Kojack Kossakamvwe
Elia Rediger

Texts
Eva-Maria Bertschy
Jean-Baptiste Ekaka
Patrick Mudekereza
Joseph Kasau
Elia Rediger

Video
Joseph Kasau
Moritz von Dungern

Performance (on stage)
Jean-Baptiste Ekaka,
Stany Kalanda / Dieu le Veut Sumba,
Kojack Kossakamvwe,
Elia Rediger
Huguette Tolinga

Performance (in the videos)
Gérard Agbokabolo Amboko, Jean Kamana, Papa Delolai, Christophe Anzalite Amboko, Dauphin Kakuaguwe Wendokono, Maman Antoinette, Constant Delite, Sengele Charles, Michel Basekombonane, Jean-Maria Nangondese, Rose Ongane, Jean-Paul Ingbitina, Collethe Bombini, Jules Amboko, Jacques Modo, Mambunga Basekombonane, Awilikilango, Adeline Baboanane, Julberthe Bibedu, Paulin Banyandey, Françoise Iday, Clementine Nengapeta, Micheline Iday, Jean-Pierre Bambabeya, Philiphe Bozi Marie, Nangaa Charline, Michel Thomo, Marie Akemande, Therese Monikomange, Bambanaye Abuty, Ndandambajaye, Jean-Pierre Monzabete, Anyabukiyuo, Jean-Pierre Bambakoanza, Adwakanakeya, Anthoinethe Abinya Kalite, Agbokabulo Mavambu, Jean-Marie Akemane, Raymond Kakeane, Clementhine Natho, Adwakanakeya Jedeo

With contribution by
Ruth Kemna and Patrick Mudekereza

Costums
Cédrick Nzolo, Souleymane Diallo und Janine Werthmann

Technical Direction and Light Design
Sylvain Faye

Set Design
Sylvain Faye, Elia Rediger

Sound Design
Philipp Ruoff, Elia Rediger

Production
Camille Jamet, HERProductions and Isaac Yenga

Tourmanagement
Luca Maier and Isaac Yenga

Research
Jean de Dieu Aybeka

Actors coaching
Emmanuel-Egide Elbas Manuana Ndosi

Assistant Director
Anna Melissa Zentgraf

Internship
Fy Notahiana Harinofy Ramaroson

Press and Social Media
Johannes Fellmann, Leonie Soltys, Fellow Publishing

Special Thanks
Alex Hasslieb, Chasper Sarott, Prof. Alphonse Maindo, Olivier Maloba Banza