Author: Chantal Nkanga

A solemn farewell in Île-de-France The first weekend of January unfolded in hushed tones for the Congolese community of the Paris region. Within the quiet walls of the Nanterre funeral parlour, relatives and professional companions of Peggy Ponio Hossie Mbongo—known to viewers simply as Peggy Hossie—came to accompany her on her last journey. The veteran broadcaster, who passed away on 15 December in suburban Paris at the age of fifty-three, was saluted in two complementary ceremonies. On Friday 2 January a night-long vigil in Sevran allowed friends, faculty colleagues and former newsroom teammates to share personal recollections, many delivered in…

Cultural diplomacy meets creative ambition in Pointe-Noire When the French Institute of Congo (IFC) unveiled its latest call for projects aimed at the performing and digital arts, seasoned observers of Central African cultural diplomacy took note. The initiative targets professional companies and collectives capable of proposing original productions where choreography, dramaturgy or performance art converse with coding, projection mapping or immersive sound design. In an official communique, IFC underlined its intention “to help bring forth a new generation of hybrid, socially engaged works,” a pledge that resonates with Brazzaville’s strategic goal of elevating the nation’s soft-power profile while supporting its…