Burundi: Marahaba Music Expo unveils full programme

Daytime activities will include workshops and panel discussions at Bujumbura's Palace of Arts and Culture. Some of the topics that will be covered include music production and branding as well as copyright and intellectual property.

A number of speakers are set to participate, include Tanzania’s Deosonga Alois Njelekela of DSkill Arts Company and Habiba Issa Nguogani, communications officer of Marahaba Swahili Music Festival. Others are festival organiser Samuel Maurice (France), copyright specialist and producer Luther Martin from Afripeans Organisation (Sweden) and producer and sound engineer Al Rhaleb Saber (Morocco).

The showcases will take place in the evenings at Downtown Hotel and feature performances from Burundi’s Bernice Bell, Yves Kami and Serge. Others are Destyn Maloya (Reunion), Kwanda (DRC), Nasibo (Zimbabwe), Ssali Muserebende (Uganda), Marahaba Band (Tanzania) and A'mosi Just a Label (Angola).

Marahaba Music Expo is a newly launched international music forum that will take place in a different African city every two years. However, a mini-festival is planned to be held every year in Burundi that will see local musicians, booking agents, producers and the media engage in industry dialogues with international players.    

“Marahaba Music Expo aims to educate the public, share innovation, promote progress and promote cooperation through music,” a press statement says. “The expo invites other countries, companies, international organisations, the private sector, civil society and the general public to participate in this musical event.”

Musician Yves Kami says he is excited to be one of the artists to play at the first edition of the event. “I hope this event will be self-sustaining so that artists in Burundi can have continued networking opportunities and a platform to showcase to a new audience,” he said.

“This is the first event of its kind here in Burundi, so I am sure that the turnout will be great because as artists we are eager to learn and apply the knowledge that will be shared by experts.”

For more information and enquiries, email Marahaba Music Expo at marahabamexpo@gmail.com.