Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo – The vibrant capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is set to host the first-ever World Music and Tourism Festival from July 16 to 18, 2025. Held under the High Patronage of His Excellency Mr. Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, this landmark event aims to underscore the profound connection between music, tourism, dialogue, and development.
Supported by UN Tourism as a key partner, the festival adopts the poignant theme, “The Rumba Route for Peace.” This theme is strategically chosen to highlight how cultural expressions, particularly music, when combined with tourism, can serve as powerful instruments for fostering understanding, building bridges between communities, and driving sustainable development.
Aims and Objectives
The World Music and Tourism Festival is conceived as a platform to showcase the potential of the creative industries and tourism in achieving national objectives. Its core aims include demonstrating how music and tourism can actively work to connect cultures, strengthen communities, and create opportunities for economic growth and social cohesion. By bringing together artists, tourism professionals, policymakers, and enthusiasts from around the globe, the festival seeks to facilitate exchanges that promote mutual respect and collaboration.
The event specifically supports the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s national efforts to promote cultural heritage, grow the creative economy, and build peace through cultural exchange. These pillars are seen not merely as artistic or economic goals, but as essential components for a stable and prosperous future for the nation and the region.
The Rumba Focus
A central element of the festival is its deliberate focus on Congolese Rumba. This iconic musical genre holds a significant place in the cultural tapestry of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the wider African continent. Its importance was formally recognized by UNESCO in 2021, acknowledging its crucial role in shaping identity and its growing contribution to tourism.
Congolese Rumba is more than just music; it is a cultural phenomenon that embodies history, identity, resilience, and social commentary. By highlighting Rumba, the festival pays homage to this rich heritage while also positioning it as a magnet for cultural tourism, inviting the world to experience its rhythm and history firsthand along the “Rumba Route.” This route concept implies both a physical journey through locations significant to Rumba’s history and evolution, as well as a metaphorical journey towards peace and understanding guided by its universal language.
Patronage and Partnership
The festival’s high-level support from His Excellency Mr. Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, signifies the national importance placed on cultural and tourism initiatives as drivers of progress. This patronage is expected to lend considerable weight and visibility to the event.
The involvement of UN Tourism as a supporting partner further elevates the festival’s international standing and aligns it with global sustainable tourism development goals. UN Tourism’s expertise and network are anticipated to contribute significantly to the festival’s planning, promotion, and its potential impact on the global stage.
Kinshasa as Host City
Choosing Kinshasa as the host city is fitting, given its status as a major cultural hub in Central Africa and its deep connection to the history and evolution of Congolese Rumba. The city is poised to welcome visitors and participants, offering them an immersive experience into the heart of this vibrant culture and its potential for future growth.
The inaugural World Music and Tourism Festival represents a significant step for the Democratic Republic of the Congo in leveraging its rich cultural assets and burgeoning tourism sector for national development and peacebuilding. Scheduled for July 2025, the event in Kinshasa is anticipated to be a celebration of culture, a catalyst for economic activity, and a testament to the power of music and tourism in fostering dialogue and forging paths towards a more peaceful future.
