Press Report: AR-Alumna Benedicte Luendo featured on Radio Universitaire ISDR-Bukavu

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English translation:

Women, Art and Entrepreneurship: A Gala to Renew Confidence Among Young Congolese Female Artists

Posted on February 20, 2026 | Author: RU-ISDR | Comments closed

The cultural women entrepreneurs’ gala from Bukavu, Goma, and Uvira will be held in Bukavu on Saturday, February 21, 2026. The event aims to provide role models for young female artists and encourage them to transform their artistic skills into professional opportunities. The festival will showcase a variety of female talents, including musicians, spoken word artists, painters, and decorators, among other disciplines. The gala will take place in the Bodega Hall of the Résidence Hotel starting at 12:00 PM.

Bénédicte Luendo, vice-coordinator of the Collective of Women Cultural Entrepreneurs, which is organizing the gala, explains that many young women abandon artistic careers due to social prejudices against women working in the arts sector. Through this initiative, the goal is to encourage young artists to understand that their work is valuable and that they can follow the example of more experienced artists.

She further notes that many female artists lose confidence because of criticism within their communities regarding their artistic activities. The gala aims to help restore this confidence by creating networking spaces where young women can showcase and develop their talents.

The gala will feature various performances, including spoken word artists, comedians, musicians, dancers, and theatre performers. In addition, invited artists will present and promote their artistic work.

Luendo also highlights that this first edition of the Women Cultural Entrepreneurs’ Gala invites young entrepreneurs, both women and men, from other sectors to present their activities.

The initiative aims to help society gain new talents who can be encouraged to pursue art as a profession, generating both economic and social benefits. The event is supported by Swiss cooperation, Enabel, Uwezo Africa, Résidence Hotel, and other cultural sector partners.