‘An explosive concoction of rhythms’ – look out for the Fanfakids at Brussels 2023

Published on 17-11-2023 at 09:44

Looking for something a bit ‘different’ at next week’s Child in the City World Conference? Then don’t miss the Fanfakids…

The Fanfakids is a wonderfully colourful group of young kids and teenagers from our host city of Brussels, who transform their youthful energy in what only be described as an explosive concoction of rhythms.

And you can see and hear them do their stuff during the lunch interval on the last day of our 2023 World Conference, on Wednesday 22 November, at the Royal Museums of Fine Arts.

Their mixture of urban music genres reflects the cultures and backgrounds with which they grew up in the Brussels neighbourhoods of Laag-Molenbeen, the Marolles and other working class districts. Professional musicians from production house MetX teach them rhythms and other musical influences from Africa, South America and Europe.

For their part, the Fanfakids teach other children to play the drums during workshops in youth centres, schools and other partner organisations. Some of the young people involved also create their own rhythms during jam sessions.

After more than 20 years, they boast an impressive record both at home and abroad, with performances in The Netherlands, France, Italy, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Morocco, Ghana, Togo and Benin plus exchanges with various drum and dance groups from Africa (Guinea, Ghana) and Europe (Prague, Rotterdam).

So if you’re planning to be in Brussels next week, and amidst all the serious, thought-provoking content, this is one presentation you really don’t want to miss!

Click here for the Fanfakids website and follow them on Facebook.