SANKOFA (Gabon, Zimbabwe, Burundi, Guinea, Kenya, Comoros, Slovenia)
the Sankofa choir
Igor Leonardi, guitar
Damir Mazrek, percussion
A unique intercontinental musical compound – a choral harmony between the local Slovene “singing nation” and the “Slovene Africans”. The concert of Africa’s most beautiful traditional songs is accompanied by trans-genre instrumental masters Igor Leonardi and Damir Mazrek.
Sankofa vocal ensemble has been active since 2009. It consists of Africans (and their offspring born outside of Africa) and their friends. It was created as part of a year-long project called Expressive World of African Culture, aimed at promoting, developing and spreading of African culture throughout Slovenia. The name Sankofa is derived from the Ghanaian symbol, which means to take something good from the past and use it for the future. The choir takes traditional African songs and presents them in a new disguise. The ensemble’s repertoire includes contemporary African songs as well as the original compositions of the choir members.
Sankofa operates under the music direction of Matej Virtič. The choir has performed at events such as Africa Week, Charity Concert for Madagascar, African Culture Festival Baofest, Beli Obroč Foundation event, Lent Festival, Trnfest, etc. It has collaborated with numerous music guests from Slovenia and abroad (Irena Yebuah Tiran, Leticia Slapnik Yebuah, Thierno Diallo, Sory Diabate, Kandia Kouyate, Aissata Kouyate, Malala Tina Rakotolahalahy Serban). Sankofa performs in different ensembles, a cappella or accompanied by drums, but the most attractive part is the accompaniment of the guitar of Igor Leonardi, a connoisseur of African music, and the percussion of Damir Mazrek.
Free admission.
