THE MODERN HISTORY OF Africa is quite naturally far from being written. In fact, it’s still in a state of armed contention, with humans exploited like the rest of the continent’s resources to fight battles in academic settings and in newspaper columns over political ideologies from faraway. Meanwhile, on the ground, incredible beauty dodges the bullets to make its own insistent demands, one note at a time.
By WILLIAM BRANGHAM [PBS – Need to Know] – It’s important to remember that even in the midst of unimaginable horror, people can — and do — flourish. As part of our ongoing collaboration with the VII Photo Agency, we bring you photographer Marcus Bleasdale’s portrait of one remarkable symphony orchestra that’s thriving in Congo’s capital city, Kinshasa.
Before coming across the Kimbaungist Symphony Orchestra in 2008, Bleasdale had spent nearly a decade documenting the rapes, murders and dislocation that have gone on virtually unchecked across Congo’s countryside. His work from Congo has been published in many newspapers and magazines, as well as two books.
Watch the full episode. See more Need To Know.
A wonderful documentary about the Kimbaungist Symphony Orchestra, aptly called “Kinshasa Symphony,” has just been released.
Continued at PBS – Need to Know | Kinshasa Symphony website | More Chronicle & Notices.
