In his powerful, rock-infused production, choreographer DeLaVallet Bidiefono brings the story of Kimpa Vita to life. A visionary who fought for her country’s independence, for freedom, and for the rights of women resisting oppression, Kimpa Vita was ultimately condemned—accused of heresy and witchcraft (‘sorcière’)—and burned at the stake in 1706. She also stood in defiance against the early agents of coloni-al power: the missionaries.
Sorcières / Kimpa Vita is a powerful tribute that connects the struggles of fierce women and historical trailblazers with those of the present. Dancer Florence Gnarigo embodies the martyr Kimpa Vita with eruptive energy and intensity. In a poetic and evocative text by author, director, and actor Dieudonné Niangouna, Kimpa Vita traverses a symbolic battlefield—her steps growing increasingly assured as the sandy terrain becomes strewn with glowing ash. Madagascan singer Dina Mialinelina and French bassist Benoît Lugué accompany her journey with an immersive and haunting soundscape.
DeLaVallet Bidiefono was born in the early 1980s in Pointe-Noire, Republic of Congo—an area where the concept of “contemporary art” was virtually unknown. In 2001, he moved to the capital, Brazzaville, and began his career as a dancer, participating in a choreographic research workshop organized by the French Cultural Centre. He later founded Compagnie Baninga, which gained international recognition in 2008. Bidiefono’s work is marked by a fusion of African, European, and American influences. His numerous artistic collaborations include projects with David Bobbée, David Lescot, and Dieudonné Niangouna. In 2013, he was invited to present his work at the prestigious Festival d’Avignon. Over the years, he has been an associ-ate artist at several renowned cultural institutions and now lives between Paris and Brazzaville. Since 2015, Bidiefono has been a driving force behind Espace Baning’Art in Brazzaville—the first independent venue for artistic creation in the Congo. For him, it represents a vital platform to support and develop artistic projects in a country with little cultural infrastructure or public funding for the arts.
CONCEPT AND CHOREOGRAPHY DeLaVallet Bidiefono | WITH Florence Gnarigo (dance) Dina Mialinelina (vocals) and Benoit Lugué (music) | TEXT Dieudonné Niangouna | STAGE DESIGN Estelle Duriez | LIGHT CREATION Stéphane “Babi” Aubert | SOUND CREATION Marvin Jean | STAGE MANAGER Cléo Konongo | TECHNICAL MANAGEMENT Martin Julhès | TRANSLATION / TRANSLATION Panthea PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION Emilia Petrakis, Philippe Naulot | DIRECTOR Jérémie Damamme, Philippe Naulot | CO-PRODUCTION The Théâtres de la Ville de Luxembourg, Le Festival de Marseille, Les Passerelles / Pontault-Combault, Le Théâtre-Cinéma de Choisy le Roi | SUPPORT FOR THE SCREEN RESIDENCY Théâtre Jean Lurçat/Scène Nationale d’Aubusson, Le Lavoir Moderne Parisien | SUPPORT FOR THE CREATION DRAC Ile de France, Région Ile de France, Département du Val de Marne