Les Francophonies en Limousin

So maybe the grand metropolis of Limoges needs some help with its bus system (and bumper-to-Renault-bumper traffic), but it sure does lure some cool artists for festivals. Les Francophonies en Limousin, the 23rd annual festival in Limoges ongoing from September 26 to October 8 this year, has wowed a packed Opera House with powerful African music, brilliant dance, and theater performances nightly. Pierre and I heard Senegalese Toure Kunda tear it up on stage with an ensemble of incredible musicians. He spoke some moving words about changing the way we think about migration, and the crossing of borders. The vibrant energy of it got the crowd to their feet. Incredibly uplifting. We also saw the dance performace Un champ de forces, with four dancers each from Asia, Africa, and Europe: for Pierre it conjured ideas of man/civilization vs. nature, while I got all pensive about colonialization and the relationship between the continents. I think the choreographer was going for a dischordant, Stravinsky Rite of Spring thing.