Democratic Republic of Congo's First Venice Biennale Pavilion to Feature Fire as Central Metaphor

In 2026, the Democratic Republic of Congo will participate in the 61st Venice Biennale for the first time with a pavilion called 'Simba moto! Seize the fire! Saisis le feu!'. Curated by Nadia Yala Kisukidi alongside the MOKO collective, the exhibit will be held at the Refettorio Antico in the Scuola Grande di San Marco. It will feature works from nine artists from both the DRC and its diaspora, including Aimé Mpané, Sammy Baloji, and more. The trilingual name reflects the nation’s rich cultural and linguistic diversity. The concept of fire stands for both destruction and creation, symbolizing change. This pavilion aims to blend art, philosophy, and architecture, focusing on creativity under the 2026 Biennale Arte theme 'In Minor Keys'.