The platform ‘Africa Simply the Best’ gathers the very best of solo dance Africa can offer.

During a two-year competition solos from all over the continent are judged on creativity, originality and innovation. Initiator is the famous choreographer Serge Aimé Coulibaly, founder of Faso Danse Théâtre and a welcome guest on the greatest European stages.

The fourth edition of ‘Africa Simply the Best’ took place in the Burkinese town of Bobo-Dioulasso in December 2021. This unique night of NEXT bundles the three winning solos.

Bibata Ibrahim Maïga – Esprit Bavard

How can you move freely in a world that is cluttered with the compelling traditions of your predecessors ? In this solo dancer and actress Bibata Ibrahim Maïga wants to liberate the individual. From walls that obstruct perspective, from the social pressure that is imposed on it.

Asanda Ruda – Kemet (Black Land)

Ruda’s dance carreer started in the communities of South-African Soweto. In 2020 she joined the Pina Bausch Foundation where she danced in The Rite of Spring. Her solo is about generation differences and cultural emancipation. How do you disrupt political sameness to be able to be yourself ?

Tchina Ndjidda – CROSS

Activist Tchina Ndjidda based this migration story of a young dancer on his own experiences. The solo tells us about a search for pride and love, about the sorrow and the frustrations that are part of it but also about the power and the hope the dancer gets out of his experience. A mix of contemporary hip-hop with ritual and traditional dance from North- Cameroun.

In corealisation with L’Oiseau-Mouche
In collaboration with Culturescapes 2023 Sahara