DRC: Humor, a factor of social cohesion,the festival zero polemik

In Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo, laughter is the key to peace and social cohesion.This was the aim of the Zero Polemik Festival, held from August 25 to 27, 2023, at the Bagira Institute.

Comic artists from various countries on the continent advocated peace and living together to the people of this locality in South Kivu, in the Great Lakes region, which is plagued by instability.

For festival director Joyeux bin Kabodjo, humor is a vector for peace and a key factor in social cohesion.

For this 6th edition of the Festival Zero polemik, the artists have found the words to accentuate «humor that tackles themes of inter-community relations, and leads people to understand that humor has no borders».

Ivorian artist Boukary, whose real name is Kouamé Gilles Romuald, has accomplished his mission: to make people forget the troubles that plague their daily lives.

«I tell myself that everyone is aware that the problems are not good, so everyone has peace in him, and so through my profession I advocate more joy, joy that lives with peace because whoever comes in the public not to talk about this or that other party, all those who find themselves at Boukary’s show, laugh together we greet each other we fall on each other without knowing what political tendency we are, so I advocate peace» he claimed.

As for humorist Clémentine, she encourages young people to embrace a career in comedy, which is seen in a different light these days.

Ruth OKAFOR