We, 11.2.2026

19:00—20:00 Show

Dampfzentrale – Turbinensaal

Jolie Ngemi

MBOK’ELENGI
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Liberating dance manifesto
Congolese group dances
Breaking hegemonial codes
Joie de vivre.

In the Lingala language, «MBOK’ELENGI» stands for pleasure and joie de vivre. This concept was adopted by Congolese youth and has become a popular (survival) slogan in the streets of Kinshasa. For her impressive group piece with the eponymous title «MBOK'ELENGI», Jolie Ngemi translates this attitude to contemporary dance. Five dancers interpret famous Congolese dances on stage, with music of the Sebene style. Their movements are inspired by the struggle against injustice in Congo and a profound wish for liberation. They powerfully question hegemonial codes which intensify inequality and impoverish the poor even further, enriching the richest instead. Before the audience’s eyes, a piece unfolds that is political, foments resistance and gives hope in equal parts. A danced manifesto against injustice!

Biography

Jolie Ngemi is a choreographer, performer and musician. She studied at P.A.R.T.S in Brussels, where she met Boris Charmatz, with whom she produced two pieces: «Danse de nuit» about the terrorist attack on «Charlie Hebdo» as well as «10 000 gestes». Both pieces were performed in France, Brussels, London, Germany and Switzerland. In 2018, she created her first solo piece, «Identity na ngayi», at the festival La Bâtie in Geneva. Apart from her artistic work, Ngemi leads workshops and teaches at the Academy of Amsterdam and at La Manufacture in Lausanne. In addition, she curates her own festival in Kinshasa.

Accessibility

The performance spaces and toilets at the Dampfzentrale are accessible to wheelchair users via a stair lift. Please contact us by email at kasse@dampfzentrale.ch so that we can reserve a suitable seat in the auditorium for you.

Sensory Warnings

Stroboscopic lights for about 5 minutes

Language

French and English

Other productions  available for touring

Solo NKISI (2023) – 1 Performer (Jolie Ngemi), 10x10m, 1hour

Booking contact: tbd

Credits

Choreography Jolie Ngemi

Dramaturgy Hannah Pfurtscheller

Interpretation Guelord Vulu, Sephora Mutubulu Lesa, Donnel Bangusa Emwila, Isaac Mutashi Tshipema, Jolie Ngemi

Lights Édouard Hugli

Scenography Gaëlle Chérix

Music Rokia Bamba

Costumes Jolie Ngemi

Production / Touring Jérôme Pique

Production Cie AUC

Coproduction Arsenic – Centre d’art scénique contemporain, STUK - Arts Center vzw, HAU Hebbel am Ufer, KVS, KAAP, De Singel

Support Canton de Vaud, Loterie Romande, Fondation Artlink, Fondation suisse des artistes interprètes SIS, Fondation Corymbo, Corodis, Pro Helvetia

Venue

Dampfzentrale – Turbinensaal
Marzilistrasse 47, 3005 Bern
Google Maps

Tickets

11.2.2026, 19:00—20:00
Dampfzentrale – Turbinensaal

Th, 12.2.2026

Fr, 13.2.2026

Sa, 14.2.2026