Three neo-fanfares from Brussels and Charleroi, a percussion group from Leuven and a philharmonic orchestra from Jabbeke have immersed themselves in the musical traditions of West Africa. Drawing their inspiration from the artistic universe of Esinam Dogbatse and Ejaspapa Gnonlonfoun, they celebrated the summer solstice on 22 and 23 June in Brussels and Bruges!

Toope Ajoyo is an original fusion of West Flemish and West African Yorùbá, and means ‘celebrating together’ across borders and cultural differences. With this in mind, Ejaspapa Gnonlonfoun has worked with music groups from Flanders, Brussels and Wallonia:

▪️ Koninklijke Harmonie Sint-Cecilia (Jabbeke)

▪️ DROM (Leuven)

▪️ GanGan The New Style (Brussels)

▪️ AnderBrass (Anderlecht)

▪️ Urbanda (Charleroi)

They ventured into an entirely new repertoire: five compositions inspired by the artistic universe of Esinam Dogbatse and Ejaspapa, with refreshing Afropean sounds and typical West African polyrhythms. The arrangements for wind instruments are by Adrien Lambinet.

On June 22 and 23, the various musical groups presented the results at performances in Brussels and Bruges. They were accompanied by an open dance collective led by Ilaria Orlandini.

22 June – Toope Ajoyo @ Fête de la Musique dans les Marolles

▪️ 14h-15h concerts by the 5 groups throughout the neighbourhood: Place de l’Épée – Skatepark Ursulines – Parvis centre culturel Bruegel – Rue du Chevreuil (Bar MG Boutique)

▪️ 15h30-16h collectif closing concert @ Parc des Brigittines

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23 June – Toope Ajoyo + ReBirth of Hope @ Concertgebouw Bruges

▪️ 13h40-16h concerts by the 5 groups throughout the historic centre + closing concert @ ‘t Zand

▪️ 17h presentation of ESINAM’s carte blanche ReBirth of Hope at Concertgebouw Brugge

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A co-production MetX – centre culturel Bruegel – Zinofomba vzw as part of Fête de la Musique & MetX – Concertgebouw Brugge – KAAP as part of ReBirth of Hope