Stichting Kibii is organising a pop-up event at Zus en Zo in Paramaribo on Saturday, September 5. The activity marks the start of the Moengo Festival of Music – Poku Fu Kenki III, which will be held in Moengo from September 25 to 27.
During the pop-up event, Maroon music and culture will take centre stage. Between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m., performances will be given by, among others, the Seketi group, Djamanti Noto, Sambura Asjiembe, Odile and Sabanatoewa. The activity will take place at Grote Combeweg 13a.
Stichting Kibii has organised several promotional activities in the run-up to the festival. An event was held in Moengo on August 15. A week later, pop-up events were held in Albina and Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni in French Guiana.
Young people from Moengo are preparing for the festival through weekly dance workshops. Villages around Moengo and various cultural groups from Paramaribo are also working towards the Poolo Boto Show. This part of the programme will be held on Saturday, September 26, and attracted more than 8,000 visitors during the previous edition, according to the organisation.
In addition to the Poolo Boto Show, the daytime programme consists of performances by DJs, live music and a cultural market. Organisations and village communities will offer, among other things, traditional clothing, dishes and beverages there.
Special programme for young people
New during this edition is a youth programme at the Beatrix Theater in Moengo. Stichting Kibii is working on this together with Stichting Kracht voor de Toekomst and the theatre.
The programme consists of activities related to art, culture and information technology. Workshops will also be provided on norms and values, personal development, safety and youth services.
According to director Marcel Pinas of Stichting Kibii, the programme was set up because many minors attended the festival without supervision during previous editions. Some children remained on the grounds until late at night, he said.
With the youth programme, the organisation aims to offer underage visitors a responsible alternative. On Sunday, September 27, an open-air church service will also be held at the request of the community, with the participation of various church communities from Moengo.
International partners, including the US embassy, the municipality of Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni and Stichting Woko Makandie, are contributing to workshops for young people, according to the organisation.
Special pangis are also available in connection with the festival at Tembé Art Studio in Moengo and Lucky Store in Paramaribo. The fabric costs SRD 70 per metre.
Stichting Kibii was founded in 2009 by visual artist Marcel Pinas. From Moengo, the organisation focuses on social, cultural and economic development in Marowijne. Previous editions of the Moengo Festival were held between 2013 and 2018.
