Who dreams? Who acts?
Building on last year's theme, the festival asks crucial questions that echo through the corridors of Afrofuturist thinking: Do we still dare to dream? Who has the right to dream? Is dreaming a creative force, a safe space for rest or just a catalyst for action? An Uprising of Dreams challenges us to collectively contribute to reclaiming dreams as a space for liberation and resistance.
Martin Luther King's iconic speech “I have a dream” redefined the world and future of people of African descent. The Afropolitan Festival 2024 transcends that same mindset in a world where dreams are not only personal aspirations but also powerful tools for social transformation.
A theme full of determination
Our current society values and rewards rational thinking. As a result, dreams are often pushed aside, or worse; the action of dreaming is discouraged, especially by those who support the status quo. Why is a society without dreams easier to tame? This oppression manifests itself not only through open channels; individuals such as family members and friends also unintentionally limit the scope of our dreams, out of concern. For marginalised groups, avoiding “dreaming too big” becomes an internal protection mechanism, as ambitions and desires are supposedly reserved for the privileged few with favourable conditions for a bright future.
Over four days of artistic and political exploration, the Afropolitan Festival will create a space of dreamy discussions. Together with artists, thinkers and performers, it will seek a way out of the dynamics of this prevailing rationalist paradigm. The ambitious goal is to reclaim the dream space that people have been deprived of, together with sensitive communities that feel its impact most acutely.
Visualisation of a vision
The festival image, titled Le Mannequin, shows a dreamy, human form that appears to float in space. This illusion is enhanced by a blue expanse, red hair and a striped shirt that together create a visual symphony.
Artist on duty is Cameroonian Moustapha Baidi Oumarou, whose images evoke both the cosmic and the intimately human. Colour is always central to his works, which he builds around a dense pigment that enchants the eye and heals the soul. Like Le Mannequin, he always composes and delivers personal paintings imbued with his spirituality.
An Afro-Belgian programme
We kick off the evening with Les Envahisseurs. Represented by multidisciplinary artists Deicy and Teddy Sanches, the eclectic duo draws inspiration from the history and language of hip-hop to perform a march through the Palace in which dance, film, debate, text, clothing and music take over the space in an expressive way.
Don't miss the critical discussions with Sibo Rugwiza Kanobana during his visit to our Meet the Thinker-programme! He will talk about his new book Witte orde. Over ras, klasse en witheid. Film lovers can delve into the world of director Rosine Mbakam with some screenings and a conversation about her film journey.
The music scene will be buzzing with performances by Dushime, Laryssa Kim and Pitcho & Musiques Nouvelles, mixing traditional and contemporary melodies. Family activities include creative workshops and engaging projections, perfect for all generations. Other attractions include Ici Sont Les Lions, a pop-up bookstore in the heart of the Marolles, and a Lifestyle Market in collaboration with Belgian Entreprenoires.
In addition, Bozar is also launching a new video game corner called Bozar Arcade. Co-curator of the project Laurent Mbaah aka Simlo presents a selection of artistic games especially for the festival that bridge the gap between traditional art forms and contemporary digital narratives from an African diasporic perspective.
Unmissable event
As the festival unfolds, Bozar hopes you feel encouraged to see dreams not merely as fleeting lapses of the mind, but as acts of rebellion against normality. Come to the launch of the Afropolitan Festival on 29 February, as part of the nocturne Bozar – All Over The Palace, for an eclectic mix of art, interaction and culture.
