Put together so many people, request so many profiles and energies, aim for communion and build a common dream... It couldn't be reduced to a festival alone.

Bia So Mengong irrevocably positions itself as a forward-thinking project, a disruptive act of self-centered initiatives, bent on promoting self-centered. It becomes an outdoor school, an abbah mi koukouma, a high place of initiation in the pure tradition of the forest peoples, in the great lineage of African thought, in globalist logic.

As the clock ticks time in the final hours before kick-off, I silently look back at the film of previous years. I review the arteries of hiking, the richness of tourism, the specifics of the Tournament of Brotherhood, the energy of various competitions, the tasting of traditional dishes, as well as the great manifestation of culture and arts.

 

 

The images of the gathered people, festival goers sitting in a circle around the fire during the Great Soir in the village, the voice of the storyteller, harmonized by the ritual sound of the mvet, the distant cry of the baboon that fits into the moment like a wild note coming to perfect the symphony. I still have on my tongue the mythical flavor of medim medzon, this brew loved by men, prepared with care by women, who are equally beneficiaries. Memory is dru — like the greenery you have to go through to get to Endam, at the Professor’s place, where visits and festivities never cease.

I have the tonic memory of that not so distant time, and yet already so full of missing. The warmth of handshakes, the melody and cadence of greetings, the uniqueness of reunions, the spontaneity of meetings, born friendships and couples to be. Colorful holidays, warm holidays, soft holidays I have not forgotten the great intellectual meeting over the book and the mask. I have not lost sight of the place granted to entrepreneurship, especially during this FNE workshop on job creation, focused this year on agri-business.

There are some plans I'm missing... But fortunately, this year I'm better prepared. This year I know the concerts will be intense Nyangono of the South, Hen's, Vanister, Donny El Wood, Koppo, Amina Pouloh, Blacky Star, Suzie the Untouchable... so many names announced for free concerts, and great. This year too, I am looking forward to watering at the source of patriarch Ambroise Mbia, icon of theatre, pillar of scenes, sure value of culture.

I can't wait to be there, to discover the future stars of choral singing, the certain light of modeling. I can't wait to witness the much-announced rematch of a Songho player on his opponent, who does not fail to reassure his fans: he did not weaken.

 

 

I sure do forget about this... But I know that the children, they, don't forget that during the Bia So Mengong Festival, the show Les Cop's First, is for them. They also have not forgotten that The Belinga Foundation always takes the opportunity to give them gifts, a thousand attentions aimed at encouraging them to invest more in the path of education.

I'm reminding you, just to refresh your memories: The festival will be held from July 12 to 26, 2025.

We'll meet there.

 

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 Bia So Mengong Festival - Where Dreams Became Reality!

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