Mbandaka, 21 August 2010 - The second edition of Mbandaka theatre festival, launched in 2009 by the Public Information Section of MONUC / Mbandaka, was held this weekend in the capital of the province. The objective of the exercise was to sensitize and inform the youth on the fight against sexual violence and impunity while entertaining them. The programme was successful as expected.

Over a thousand of young people were attending, when Provincial Minister for Culture, Mirelle Beta, in the end of the afternoon, struck three times to symbolize the official opening of the second edition of the Mbandaka Festival Theatre. The ceremony was held in the presence of MONUSCO/Ecuador Head Office Ould Mohamed Elhacen and a lot of guests, mostly young .

This festival, created last year by the UN Mission, indeed begins to be a prominent figure in the summer calendar of cultural activities in Mbandaka. And the programming this year has kept its promises. No fewer than four theater companies, among the most popular of the city have, in turn, called the public out on the issue of domestic violence, sexual abuse and on the role of security forces to end this scourge . Other parts, meanwhile, have chosen to sensitize the public on the role and activities of the UN agencies in Ecuador.

Besides the performances, the festival also offered to participants other entertainment, including music by the band " New Trend " as well as a fashion show . The public enjoyed, laughed, danced and cried, even when it was about women and girls fighting against sexual violence .

According to all, this second presentation of the Theatre Festival has been a success. Despite the late hour, insecurity in some areas and darkness, the audience stayed until the end of the ceremony ... and has already made an appointment for the third edition in 2011.

The provincial Minister of Culture thanked MONUSCO for its initiative which combines educating and entertaining at the same time. She addedthat; It is " through culture ( that ) we reach the soul of the whole population".

On this occasion, the Minister has made two significant announcements : first, that the provincial government intended to " install in Mbandaka, and in the capital of the districts, reading centers and cultural activities", an initiative to result from a cooperation between DRC and the International Agency of the Francophonie (IAF ) as well as the already planned rehabilitation of Mbandaka Museum.