THECO 2026 festival closing day in Brazzaville
After a strong launch on January 11, the first edition of the Theatre Festival in Ecodi, known as THECO, is preparing for its grand finale. Sunday, January 18 is scheduled to mark the closing of an event designed to spotlight the talents of Sunday school groups across Brazzaville.
Organizers present the festival as a space where children can grow through performance, discovering stage discipline while learning to speak confidently before an audience. For families and community leaders, the closing day is expected to be both a celebration and a moment to assess what this first edition achieved.
Ruchama and Bible Reading League partnership
THECO is organized by the Ruchama group in partnership with the Ligue de la Lecture de la Bible. According to the organizers, this collaboration has helped structure a program that mixes theatre, youth training and a community spirit anchored in shared values.
By combining an artistic framework with faith-based educational outreach, the partners have aimed to create a welcoming environment for children from different neighborhoods. The result, they say, is a festival that feels local and accessible, while still encouraging high standards on stage.
January 18 performances at Brazzaville prefecture hall
The highlight of THECO’s final day is set for the conference hall of the Prefecture of Brazzaville. Four new troupes are expected to take the stage for this last chapter of the festival, bringing fresh energy to close the event on a strong note.
The participating Sunday schools announced for the finale include Poto-Poto, Bacongo and Météo. Their performances are presented as the completion of a cycle that seeks to support children’s personal development, strengthen self-confidence, and unlock creativity in public speaking.
Opening day recap: themes that spoke to families
The festival began at a fast pace on Sunday, January 11, with an opening animated by the gymnastic movement of Poto-Poto. Three Sunday schools then set the tone for the edition, each approaching a topic closely linked to everyday life for children and parents.
La Base performed “Si je savais,” a play that raised awareness about the risks of harmful peer influence. Tala Nkolo moved the audience by focusing on the difficult living conditions faced by children placed outside their biological home, while Ngamaba closed the day with “Garde tes valeurs,” centered on moral integrity.
A director’s perspective: confidence built in real time
Stage director Galen Lebaki said he was pleased to see young actors transform over the course of the festival, notably by overcoming stage fright. For him, the most striking change was not only theatrical technique, but the calm and presence the children gradually developed.
Galen Lebaki also praised the organizers for launching an initiative he believes can, over time, awaken hidden talents. In his view, repeated opportunities to perform are essential for children who may not otherwise access cultural spaces, especially at an age where confidence can be fragile.
Books, brochures and community learning beyond the stage
Beyond the performances, THECO also served as a platform for the Ligue de la Lecture de la Bible to present its missions. Represented at the festival by Pastor Evariste Kouikani, the organization used the gathering to connect with families and participants in a practical way.
During the event, the Ligue de la Lecture de la Bible offered books and brochures to participants. Organizers describe these materials as part of the festival’s wider educational dimension, complementing the theatre activities with resources that can be read at home or used in group learning.
What the first edition signals for Brazzaville culture
For Brazzaville’s cultural life, the first edition of THECO suggests that community-based initiatives can create new stages for young voices. The festival’s format places children at the center, giving them a structured moment to be seen and heard, while also drawing attention to the role of mentors.
As the curtain prepares to fall, attention turns to the Prefecture of Brazzaville for a closing day described by participants as both human and spiritual. For many families, January 18 is expected to leave lasting memories, and possibly the desire to see THECO return.