Ruhrtriennale - Celebrating 40 years

Concert

4.9.2024

Gießhalle, Landschaftspark Duisburg-Nord

Celebrating the 40-year career of Africa’s powerhouse diva and global ambassador of change

Five-time Grammy award winner Angélique Kidjo has brought the soul of Africa to the world throughout a brilliant music career spanning more than 40 years. Born in Benin, Kidjo has always been about inclusivity, whether in her pan-African songs, or with numerous international collaborators, who include Sting, Alicia Keys and Carlos Santana. In her concert Celebrating 40 years, Kidjo blends Cuban salsa, Congolese rumba, soul, jazz, and West African musical traditions with modern African pop. Irresistible beats and radiantly joyful melodies carry important messages about the climate crisis and the struggle for freedom. Her vociferous activism is no mere sloganeering – in her youth, Kidjo actively opposed the dictatorship that ruled her homeland. As the first African woman to be appointed as UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, she has been campaigning for girls’ education, against genital mutilation and early marriage. Amnesty International honoured Kidjo with its top human rights award for her work standing up to injustice. Reasons enough to celebrate Kidjo’s musical legacy and social impact with a joyous concert at Ruhrtriennale.

„Music for me is like a language; it’s such a powerful, transformative thing and we share it and add to it. I’ve never let any boundary stop me from being creative and taking music further.“

Angélique Kidjo

Cast

Vocals
- Angélique Kidjo
Keyboard
- Thierry Vaton
Guitar
- Amen Viana
Bass
- Rody Cereyon
Drums
- Gregory Louis
Percussion
- David Donatien
Technical Project Manager Ruhrtriennale
- Darko Šošić

Visit

Language

without language
duration

90 minutes
climate

The Gießhalle is a semi-open hall in which the weather plays a role. Depending on the time of day and the weather, it can be hot or cold. Temperatures drop quickly, especially in the evening. We therefore recommend that you bring a warm jumper or jacket. We also provide blankets free of charge. If it rains, a rain jacket can be useful to protect you from the side wind.