Lubumbashi Biennale 2026 Names Sorana Munsya and Jermay Michael Gabriel as Curators
The 9th Lubumbashi Biennale is scheduled for October 2026 and will be managed by curators Sorana Munsya and Jermay Michael Gabriel. Celebrated as the only contemporary art biennale independently organized in Sub-Saharan Africa for over fifteen years, this year's event is inspired by the influential Congolese philosopher Valentin Yves Mudimbe. Attendees will have access to his personal library, thanks to a collaboration with Picha and the Université de Lubumbashi. The biennale will delve into essential themes, such as historical narratives, colonial legacies, and modern interpretations, positioning this edition as a crucial step toward the upcoming 10th biennale.
Key facts
- Lubumbashi Biennale 9th edition in October 2026
- Curators: Sorana Munsya and Jermay Michael Gabriel
- Inspired by philosopher Valentin Yves Mudimbe
- Mudimbe donated his personal library to Université de Lubumbashi
- Biennale is the only independently organized contemporary art biennale in Sub-Saharan Africa
- Munsya is a Belgian-Congolese curator based in Brussels
- Gabriel is a professor at Addis Ababa University and founder of Black History Month Milano
- Edition marks a milestone toward the 10th edition
Entities
Artists
- Sorana Munsya
- Jermay Michael Gabriel
- Valentin Yves Mudimbe
Institutions
- Biennale de Lubumbashi
- Université de Lubumbashi
- Picha
- Fonds National de la Recherche Scientifique (FRS-FRArt)
- Nsomi
- Addis Ababa University
- Black History Month Milano
- Kanal-Centre Pompidou
- Bozar
- ARGOS Centre for Audiovisual Arts
- GLEAN Art Magazine
- e-flux Architecture
- Chimurenga
- Biennial Foundation
Locations
- Lubumbashi
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Brussels
- Belgium
- Milan
- Italy