Mali hosted Festival Acoustik after Jihadist terror attacks as a sign of recovery, and as a big and justified ‘fuck you’ to extremists.
The Radisson Blu Hotel in the Mali capital of Bamako fell victim to an unfortunate terror attack by jihadists on November 20, plunging the country into a state of emergency. Two months after the incident, in an attempt to revive their country’s cultural fame, the city organized a festival with some of the biggest names in African and world music.
Dubbed Festival Acoustik, the event was organized by popular Malian musician Toumani Diabate. The lineup featured international acts like Damon Albarn of Blur, Songhoy Blues and several African idols including Nigerian drummer Tony Allen.
“It’s very important for me, for us, to get Malian culture going,” Diabate told The Telegraph. “You see Mali is the heart of culture in Africa.” Festival Acoustik brought a breath of fresh air to the city as the country has been under a nationwide state of emergency after a three-month extension at the end of last year. The emergency, which will be lifted on March 31, did not hinder the musicians from playing nor did it stop the people from attending the 4 day fest.
“I was invited on this occasion, so that’s even more special, really, to sort of be invited back,” Albarn said in an interview with AFP. “I’m fascinated by it. It’s very tangible to me because of the music and the value of the music.”
Festival Acoustik and the return of the Eagles Of Death Metal to France after the Paris attacks was an announcement that musicians are not backing down. In times such as these, music and art are perfect to ease and express tensions that send a much more powerful message than the act of terror.
Check out some of the festival performances here :