The theatre piece "Le Coup de la Libération" was presented to a large and enthusiastic audience at the Complexe administratif de Mouila in southern Gabon on Saturday. The event was under the patronage of Paul Ulrich Kessany, the Minister of Youth, Sports, Cultural Rayonnement, and Arts, charged with Associative Life. The Gabonese Press Agency reported that the piece attracted a significant turnout.
During the opening address, Étienne Nzigou Kounda, the director of the Théâtre national, recalled the major stages of Gabon's theatre history. He mentioned that theatre in Gabon was born in the 1950s through missionary skits and later structured in 1965 under the impetus of playwright Vincent de Paul Nyonda. The troupe had represented Gabon at the 1966 Festival mondial des Arts nègres in Dakar.
Nzigou Kounda also commended a significant institutional advancement: the adoption of the bill creating, attributing, and organizing the Théâtre national during the Council of Ministers held in Port-Gentil on September 18, 2026. This step is crucial for the professionalization and valorization of the sector. The piece "Le Coup de la Libération" is a creation of the Théâtre national, designed as a dramatic comedy.
The piece is inspired by the events of August 30, 2023, and aims to place theatre at the heart of cultural policies and restore its prestige. This national tour, which will traverse the nine provinces, is part of the cultural rayonnement advocated by President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema. The Governor of Ngounié, Francis Oyinamono, who attended the performance, praised the initiative.
Oyinamono described the initiative as a bearer of memory and unity, stating that the actors retraced Gabon's political evolution until 2023. He noted that it is essential for young Gabonese to understand the importance of the Coup de la Libération. The provincial director of Cultural Rayonnement, Abdala Magoundi Mouketou, welcomed the strong public mobilization.
The audience also expressed their satisfaction with the piece. Grâce Murielle Mitanga described it as a beautiful and unforgettable experience. Bienvenue Moubarou appreciated the piece, particularly the return to traditions through the dancers' costumes. The piece revisits Gabon's recent history and highlights the values of unity, patriotism, and refoundation.
Through "Le Coup de la Libération," the Théâtre national aims to promote Gabon's cultural heritage and values. The successful presentation in Mouila marks the beginning of the national tour. The piece has been well-received by the public, and its message is expected to resonate with audiences across the country.
Key points
- The theatre piece "Le Coup de la Libération" was presented in Mouila under the patronage of Minister Paul Ulrich Kessany.
- The piece is part of a national tour aimed at promoting Gabon's cultural heritage and values.
- The event was attended by notable figures, including Governor Francis Oyinamono and provincial director Abdala Magoundi Mouketou.
