Manding Foli

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Groups with Babara Bangoura

Musical journey to Guinea

Intensive percussion and dance training aiming for participation
of the 2^nd edition of the International North-South Cultural Exchange Festival

From the 27th of December 2011 until the 18th of January 2012

We are pleased to announce that the 2nd edition of the musical journey and the International North-South Cultural Exchange Festival will take place in Guinea from the 27th of December 2011 unti the 18th of January 2012.

The participants will receive an intensive training on different locations resulting in participating in the festivals final spectacle.

In 2007, Babara Bangoura created the 1st International North-South Cultural Exchange Festival, to demonstrate how many Africans, Europeans, Americans and Asians share the same amount of pleasure and enthousiasm for the music and dance of West-Africa. The 1st edition was an unforgettable experience for all the participants as well as the different traditional Mandingue ballets and percussion groups.

The idea was to have another festival in 2010. Unfortunately we were forced to cancel and postpone the festival due to the political situation in Guinea at that time.

Due to the 1st democratic elections in Guinea and the election of mr Alpha Condé, supported by the international community and the mayority of the Guinean people, the political climat has improved and is therefore fortunate enough for the organisation to start the project.

Subscriptions commence at 25 January 2011. We hope you will all join this incredible adventure.

Training

Trainees have the choice between djembe, dance or dununs. The training will take place in three different locations: To the Baga’s in Bel Air, to the Susu’s in Conakry, and on the island Room.

Several (different) levels will be established according to the level of the participants. The journey is open to everyone, whatever his level, (no matter what level of regardless of their level) from beginners (minimum 1 year experience) to professional.

The trainees will follow an intensive training of 10 days, 4 hours/day (2 hours in the morning and 2 hours in the afternoon), the objective being a concert during the International Festival of Cultural Exchange North-South.

The rest of the day, trainees will be free to visit the surroundings, local markets or take a rest (or just relax of or take a break). Courses of other instruments will be possible at trainees’ cost (expenses).

Trainees will have also the opportunity to attend to dununbas and other local parties.

The origin of the festival

After several years of teaching in Africa and Europe, Babara wished to show how Africans, Europeans, Americans and Asians share the same pleasure of the West-African music and dance. He thus created the International North-South Cultural Exchange Festival in 2007 to allow his trainees to meet different ballet and traditional music groups of the Manding. January 2012 will see the second edition of the festival which will take place every two years.

The course of the festival

The festival will last one day during which around 10 groups will give a performance. The participants to the trip, trained by Babara and other teachers will have the opportunity to make a show in a typical manding sphere: joy (partytime ensured! Of It’s partytime!).

The festival will end with an award ceremony, 2 days later. The jury will be composed of master djembefola and dancers.

Percussion Teachers

Babara Bangoura
Guei Thomas
Adama Diara (Petit Adama)
Alpha Touré

Dance Teachers

Ali Mara
Seny Bangoura

The dance training will be given by two teachers assisted by female dancers of Guinean origin.

Update of the teachers team and the groups participating the festival in the course of 2011 on www.mandingfoli.com.

Towns & Accommodations

Bel Air is a city on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, located in Basse-Guinée in the region of Bofa, 225 km from Conakry. The beach of white sand is 7km long. It’s one of the most beautiful beaches of the seaside.
Conakry is the capital city of Guinea, it’s located on the Atlantic Ocean. The vegetation of maritime Guinea consists of Mangroves, Palmtrees and Coconuttrees.

With approximately 2,000,000 inhabitants Conakry is the biggest city in Guinea. The port activity is the main economic sector of the economy of the city.
Room Island is located at 40 min by boat from Conakry, it’s a paradise island with coco trees and white sand. The air is pure and a fresh breeze gives a comfortable temperature.

Trainees will sleep in hostels or comfortable hotels.