Calendar of Events

Saint Louis, Senegal
In Memory of François Bonelli
In partnership with the international relations department of the Mayor of Lille, France
April 29 - May 2, 2009

April 29 : Official Opening at the Jean Mermoz Institute starting at 4pm

April 30 : Concert at Pikine Angle Tall starting at 7pm
Artists: Dread Maxim, Pression Ilégale, Axiom de Lille (France), Keurgui

May 1st : Concerts at Place Abdoulaye Wade starting at 7pm
Artists: Da Brains, Keur Eskem de Rennes (France), Pression Illégale, Axiom de Lille (France)

May 2nd : Concerts at Place Faidherbe starting at 7pm
Artists: Awadi, Xuman, Pression Illégale, Axiom de Lille (France)
In Competition: 40 groups from 11 different regions of Senegal

The Festival

The festival RAPANDAR was created to promote hip-hop music from the city of St. Louis, Senegal. Through the organization of this grand event of national scale and international scope, with numerous artists coming from diverse horizons, we are hoping to reaffirm the bonds of solidarity, humanity and peace, all the values carried out through the music of rap and reggae.

Specific Goals of the event:

Through each concert we are trying to:

1. Promote the social mobilization of youth around society’s modern plagues such as AIDS/HIV, tuberculosis, malaria and cholera. As well as social issues like illegal immigration, political corruption and drug use. RAPANDAR is our instrument to raise awareness and awaken the consciences of youth to these many challenges of society.
2. Promote positive cultural exchanges of musicians and indeed each country will have the opportunity to have a representative at the festival to participate in this meeting of giving and listening to opinions on our society’s ills.
3. Be a springboard for all rap/reggae groups yet to be discovered and who need a network to build contacts and a way to promote themselves
4. To help promote tourism, especially among young people, and in turn have a positive impact of the local economy and its businesses.

Brief History of RAPANDAR

Rapandar is an initiative of young people participating in the rap/reggae movement. The festival debuted in 2004. Each year the festival has risen to a new artistic level. Due to the success of the first edition which took place April 28 – 30th 2004 with 350 registered spectators, we were able to enhance the quality and scope of the proceeding editions. Thus, the 3rd edition of Rapandar which was held on the 27-29 of April 2006, was considered a complete success with over 800 spectators. The festival is run with professionalism and hard-work which has ensured its quality each year. Likewise, Rapandar now has a well established place in the cultural calendar of the city of St.Louis, Senegal and with Senegal’s Ministry of Culture. It is our goal to expand our reach to over 800 spectators at Rapandar 2007. The theme for this year is Youth Against Illegal Immigration and will take place April 26 – 28th in St. Louis, Senegal.

Contact Information:

10,000 Problèmes siège social Leona
BP 1187
Saint Louis, Senegal
Tel: +221.77.369.5684 or +221.77.514.1568
Email: festivalrapandarslsn@yahoo.fr or dixmilleproblemes@yahoo.fr