In the Shadow of Power: A Panel on Culture, Politics, and Critique in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) looks back on a turbulent history in which power and violence are negotiated not only within state institutions, but also through language, sound, and the symbolism of everyday life. The panel discussion “In the Shadow of Power: Culture, Politics, and Critique in the DRC” made clear that political critique in the Congo often begins in the arts.

An interdisciplinary perspective on resistance and symbolism

Moderated by Dr. Julien Bobineau (JMU alumnus), a lively interdisciplinary dialogue unfolded at the Schelling Forum of the Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities. Political scientist Dr. Lilli Banholzer (Bavarian Research Alliance for Peace, Security and Conflict – FoKS) and literary scholar Prof. Dr. Gilbert Shang Ndi (University of Bayreuth / BAdW) explored how music and literature function as seismographs of social tensions.

It became evident that artistic practices in the Congo are far more than mere reflections of reality; they are active tools for questioning political conditions and for creating spaces of social participation in the first place.

Presentation of the Handbook Democratic Republic of the Congo

The event also served as a book launch for the Handbook Democratic Republic of the Congo, published last year with contributions from several scholars affiliated with ACCUW as well as Congolese alumni of the University of Würzburg. The handbook is edited by Dr. Julien Bobineau, Dr. Philipp Gieg (ACCUW), and Dr. Timo Lowinger (FoKS).

The cooperation between the Africa Competence Centre (ACCUW) and the Schelling Forum of the Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities once again demonstrated how fruitful interdisciplinary exchange can be in shedding light on the entanglements of culture, politics, and power.