Since 2019, an artistic collaboration has developed between the Detours Festival (Belgium) and urban dance initiatives in the DRC, notably the Vijana Up organization through its project: the GOMA DANCE FESTIVAL (GDF), an annual event featuring urban, contemporary, and traditional dance that brings together various African dancers and international professional dancers to exchange ideas, benefit from professional training, and offer African dancers opportunities for international visibility.
This collaboration has grown stronger and more fruitful over time. Since 2019, it has yielded significant results: more than 18 trips internationally, the participation of 10 Belgian artists in projects in the DRCongo, and the professional development of numerous Congolese dancers. At the Detours Festival, we have the privilege of welcoming a delegation of some of Goma’s best dancers each year to lead African dance workshops and participate in dance battles.
This enduring and strong exchange promises exciting projects for the future.
OUR PROJECTS FOR 2026?
DETOURS R.D CONGO - edition Kinsaha 2026.
Building on this success, we are preparing the “Detours RD Congo 2026” edition. With the support of Wallonie-Bruxelles International, this collaboration will continue with a new phase in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, featuring a week of artistic activities bringing together national dancers and international artists.
The project combines artist residencies, workshops, dance battles, performances, and a selection of dancers who will travel to Belgium to represent the DR Congo at the Detours Festival 2026. Over the course of several days, Belgian and Congolese artists will work on various themes:
- Artist Residencies
- Professional workshops; personalized coaching for companies selected for the WIPs
- Master Classes: Communicating and developing your urban dance project
- Dance battles (Detours Festival qualifiers)
- Performance showcases and workshop presentations
- Competition for works-in-progress (Selection – Detours Festival)
Want to learn more about the collaboration in 2026? Read this : PRESENTATION FILES
