As the global community slowly awakens to the urgent need to protect the Congo Basin—one of the planet’s largest carbon sinks—the local population once again finds itself caught in the crossfire of geopolitical interests. For ECOSYSTEM, the artist collective GROUP50:50 travels to the northeast of the Democratic Republic of Congo, collaborating with rainforest communities to create a powerful multimedia music theatre piece. Together, they tell the story of an ecosystem in crisis—a natural world pushed to the brink, and the people whose lives are inseparably bound to it.
“If we save the rainforest, we save the climate!” This slogan has been used for decades by international environmental organisations to justify their interventions in the equatorial forests. But the reality on the ground is far more complex.
In efforts to preserve the region’s extraordinary biodiversity, environmentalists often find themselves in conflict with mining corporations and timber exporters—industries that, backed by corrupt political elites, continue to extract gold and timber at the cost of devastating the forest and its ecosystems. Yet, the conservation regulations themselves are not without harm: they frequently ignore the land rights of local communities.
This has led to violent clashes between international conservation efforts and smallholder farmers who rely on traditional methods of clearing forest for agriculture. Meanwhile, the nomadic Mbuti people—among the most intimate stewards of the rainforest—have sustained their way of life for generations by living in harmony with the forest. Yet their ancestral rights to this land remain unacknowledged.
Together with local farmers and members of the Mbuti community in Bagoia—collaborators from their previous work The Ghosts Are Returning (presented at africologneFESTIVAL 2023)—the performers and musicians of GROUP50:50 explore what we inherit from our ancestors and what we will pass on to future generations. In dialogue with the region’s traditional music, they create a transnational ceremony that honours the forest and reflects on its vital importance—not only for those who live within it, but for the entire world.
PRODUCTION GROUP50:50 | COPRODUCTION Residenz Schauspiel Leipzig, Kaserne Basel and Centre d’Art Waza LubumbashiIN COLLABORATION WITH Caritas Wamba, the communities of Bagoia and Asand-abo.
With the financial support of Fachausschuss Tanz & Theater Basel-Stadt / Basel-Landschaft, Pro Helvetia, Schweizer Kulturstiftung, Migros Kulturprozent, Südkulturfonds, Ernst Göhner Stiftung, Corymbo Stiftung, Schweizerische Interpretenstiftung, GEA Waldviertler.
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Eva-Maria Bertschy, Joseph Kasau, Kojack Kossakamvwe, Elia Rediger | MUSICAL DIRECTOR Kojack Kossakamvwe, Elia Rediger | WRITERS Eva-Maria Bertschy, Jean-Baptiste Ekaka, Patrick Mudekereza, Joseph Kasau, Elia Rediger | VIDEO Joseph Kasau, Moritz von Dungern | COSTUME Cédrick Nzolo, Souleymane Diallo and Janine Werthmann | TECHNICAL MANAGEMENT AND LIGHT DESIGN Sylvain Faye | STAGE Sylvain Faye, Elia Rediger | SOUND DESIGN Philipp Ruoff, Elia Rediger | PRODUCTION Camille Jamet, HERProductions and Isaac Yenga | TOUR MANAGEMENT Luca Maier and Isaac Yenga | RECHERCHE Jean de Dieu Aybeka | DIRECTOR Anna Melissa Zentgraf
WITH Jean-Baptiste Ekaka, Dieu le Veut Sumba, Kojack Kossakamvwe, Elia Rediger, Huguette Tolinga
PERFORMANCE (IN THE VIDEOS) Gérard Agbokabolo Amboko, Jean Kamana, Papa Delolai, Christophe Anzali-te Amboko, Dauphin Kakuaguwe Wendokono, Maman Antoinette, Constant Delite, Sengele Charles, Michel Basekombonane, Jean-Maria Nangondese, Rose Ongane, Jean-Paul Ingbitina, Collethe Bombini, Jules Amboko, Jacques Modo, Mambunga Basekombonane, Awilikilango, Adeline Baboanane, Julberthe Bibedu, Paulin Banyandey, Françoise Iday, Clementine Nengapeta, Micheline Iday, Jean-Pierre Bambabeya, Philiphe Bozi Marie, Nangaa Charline, Michel Thomo, Marie Akemande, Therese Monikomange, Bambanaye Abuty, Ndandambajaye, Jean-Pierre Monzabete, Anyabukiyuo, Jean-Pierre Bambakoanza, Adwakanakeya, Anthoinethe Abinya Kalite, Agbokabulo Mavambu, Jean-Marie Akemane, Raymond Kakeane, Clementhine Natho, Adwakanakeya Jedeo