Coronavirus in Senegal: the artists' alert cry

In Senegal, the closure of performance venues has been extended until November.

JOHN WESSELS / AFP

Text by: RFI Follow

3 min

Six months after the appearance of the coronavirus pandemic in the country, they denounce “the slow agony” of the world of the arts.

No concert since mid-March, the performance halls are closed.

Gathered in a collective, professionals in the sector launched a petition, and sent an open letter to the Head of State to alert them to their situation.

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With our correspondent in Dakar,

Charlotte Idrac

Kuy woddoo làmiñ, bu noppee raid

 " " 

For those who feed on speech, silence is misery.

 These words of the singer Ismaël Lô summarize well the despair of the artists, according to Daniel Gomes.

The president of the Association des Métiers de la Musique in Senegal, in the midst of a working meeting with the members of the collective: " 

It's our life, the stage ... Rather than stay there, to be in the paperwork, we would like to be there rather than in front of the instruments.

 "

But the recovery is not for now.

The closure of performance venues has been extended until November.

Incomprehensible for music players: " 

The way in which we found solutions to make transport work, to make markets work, to make the start of the academic year.

So under the same conditions, we ask that the rooms be reopened,

 ”says Daniel Gomes.

“ 

We can respect the barrier measures.

We demand work

 ”

The government has granted overall aid of 3 billion CFA francs for the entire cultural sector, approximately 4.5 million euros.

According to the collective's calculations, this represents 1,059 CFA francs, or 1.60 euros per day and per performing arts worker.

The situation is untenable, according to manager Aminata Diallo: “ 

Now we see instrumentalists selling their instruments.

But can a singer sell his voice?

No.

Can a manager sell his voice?

No.

It's a hassle, it's a total pain.

We can respect the barrier measures.

We require work.

 "

The collective therefore calls on the Head of State, as the first protector of the Arts and Letters.

To read also: Senegal: how the Mourides prepare the Grand Magal de Touba with the coronavirus

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  • Senegal

  • Arts

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