Invitation to Guinea Conakry / Isle of Roume : Workshop Journey in February 2023 (!) [or in later Autumn]

PREFACED: Maybe this Invitation will apply for the later months of the year 2023, which is not yet concrete at all, but the outline and journey content should be found to be similar in both cases — read on:

[Public announcement and invitation by Djembéfola Mr. Alpha Oulare]

MUSICAL JOURNEY TO GUINEA :

Winter holiday workshop in February 2023

2-week drum and dance course from February 5th to 19th, 2023[1]

Let yourself be carried away into the wonderful culture of Guinea! Together with us you will discover its breathtaking variety of colours, smells and sounds — very close to the pulse of nature and the local people.

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DRUM LESSONS. In drum lessons we practice traditional rhythms and percussion techniques on the Djembé, one of the most expressive drums in Africa. In addition, the interaction of the whole group is trained. The three masters of the drum (Djembéfola) Mr. Gillbert, the course instructor, accompanied by Mr. Alpha Oulare and Mr. Mamadie Camara, go into each level individually. The drums are provided.

DANCING LESSONS. Accompanied by the aforementioned drummers, the dance lessons take place with the two professional dance teachers Ms. Marama Konti and Ms. Kadiatou Zuma. For a long time, both were dancers with the national ballet «Kounkuré Bamba» in Conakry, where they currently live and teach several dance groups. Their wealth of experience enables them to handle different levels of dance equally.

THREE MEALS A DAY. Our cook Ms. Fatime will entertain us with her culinary art. As a snack, fruit, snacks and table water are freely available for all travelers. You have to organize muesli or special foods yourself.

OVERNIGHT STAY. 2-bed rooms with simple furnishings, beds with mosquito nets are provided. On the Île de Roume we stay in bamboo huts directly at the sea.

WHAT AWAITS YOU on our trip to Guinea:

  • Airport transfer (arrival and departure as a whole group),
  • traditional accommodation (no mass tourism),
  • 3× daily culinary delicacies of the Guinean cuisine,
  • two-week drum and dance course and
  • optional excursions, cultural events, festivals and much more

TRAVEL PRICE for the two-week stay:

  • all inclusive with dance and drumming course 950 €,
  • only with dance course 785 €,
  • only with drumming courses 785 €

(simple extension week possible by arrangement).

TIME SCHEDULE

Saturday, February 4th, 2023, arrival at Conakry/Guinea airport, transfer as a group[2] to the town of Coyah[3].

Sunday, February 5th, 2023, free day to arrive and relax.

Monday, February 6, 2023 to Friday, February 10, 2023, daily lessons in traditional dance and drumming, in Coyah.

Saturday, February 11, 2023, moving by boat to the Île de Roume, one hour before Conakry. Free time for long walks into the interior of the small island and along the sea, visit to the village with insights into the everyday life of the people, for example fishing. Spontaneous excursions around the island or a rest day in a hammock — all this and much more is possible.

From Monday 13.2.2023, daily lessons in traditional dance and drumming on the island of Roume, outside by the sea.

Saturday and Sunday, February 18/19, 2023, return journey.

Guinea Conakry region, Los Islands and the Isle of Roume (Sources Twitter.com and Mindat.org)


REMARKS

[1] Variable arrival and departure times are possible.

[2] Arrangements among the travelers as a group regarding the transfer are possible.

[3] The drive from Conakrys Airport to Coyah takes approximately 1½ hours. The journey from Coyah to Roume Island takes approximately 2 hours by car to the port and then another 1 hour by boat to the island.

Dance lessons Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 11:00 and 17:00 to 18:00, drum lessons Monday to Friday from 12:00 to 15:00.

You have to organize the flight yourself. There are various airlines that fly to Conakry: Airfrance (you can take a lot of luggage here) or, for example, Air Morocco.

A visa must be ordered at the Guinean Embassy in Berlin.

Vaccination card is mandatory (vaccination against yellow fever and/or prophylactic treatment against malaria).

For those who have the desire and the time, there is an opportunity to arrive earlier and also to stay there longer. The holiday can be extended up to 3 months, for this it is necessary to contact the organizer Mr. Alpha Oulare (additional costs about 150 € per week for room and board).

MORE INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION

Please contact Mr. Alpha Oulare, Leipzig/Conakry, by e-mail: alpha.oulare@hotmail.de, or mobile phone / Whatsapp (+49) (0)178 56 34 016, or via social media Facebook: tinyurl.com/alphaoulare, also for contracts with the percussion and vocal ensemble Sugé.

[© Mr. Alpha Oulare, Leipzig / Federal Republic of Germany, Guinea-Conakry, March 24, 2022]

HELPFUL : Further external ressources

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