On this rainy day in March, a stone’s throw from the famous Zingaro equestrian theater, children’s songs resonate from an improbable marquee planted, in an area still under construction, in the heart of the former Aubervilliers military fort. 120 primary school students in Seine-Saint-Denis attend, with stars in their eyes, the intimate show by Angélique Kidjo, accompanied by a single musician. They resume in chorus Kelele, one of the hits of the singing star of Beninese origin who, at 63 years old and crowned by five Grammy Awards, the most prestigious awards in the music industry, is celebrating her 40th career.
A project bringing together 1,500 students
An educational show, in which songs intertwine with children’s prepared questions. When Sofiane, 10, asks her what she does with her free time, Angélique Kidjo talks about her passion for cooking. ” It relaxes me ! I like to mix cuisines, spices, we always have ingredients in common in our cultures, they do not oppose each other. » A philosophy that applies perfectly to his music.
But these children are not only there to discover his world. They are preparing a major show. We are at Point Fort d’Aubervilliers, a new approved stage dedicated to world music, inaugurated in 2021 and still under construction. Led by the Cities of World Music association, it will very soon host 440 m2 offices and rehearsal rooms.
It is here that an ambitious popular education project is being organized: the City of Marmots-Minots. In existence since 2008, and growing each year, it brings together numerous public school classes around popular music from all cultures, each time inviting an artist to accompany the creation of a large-scale final concert.
Crowned with 5 Grammy Awards over the course of a 40-year career, singer Angélique Kodjo has agreed to be the godmother of this ambitious popular education project carried out by the Cité des marmots-minots. / Jeanne Frank / Divergence for La Croix L’Hebdo
This year, it was Angélique Kidjo who agreed to be the godmother of the project, bringing together 1,500 students from 63 classes in Seine-Saint-Denis, Paris and Marseille. And it will not be one but five concerts which will close the year in prestigious venues: the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris and the Marseille Opera.
Great innovation this year, the Cojo (Olympic Committee) has labeled the Cultural Olympiad project. “This allows us to involve the 50 musicians of the Orchester national d’Île-de-France, and to create exchanges between 100 kids from Paris who will perform in Marseille and 100 kids from Marseille who will discover the Châtelet”specifies Sabrina Ouis, project coordinator for Île-de-France for twelve years.
The system provides for around fifteen workshops per class, led by around ten musicians trained in the repertoire of Angélique Kidjo, and a final rehearsal on the big day. “At the beginning, some children are a little shy, don’t dare to singexplains Sabrina Ouis. But the musicians always manage to find tips to gently lead them towards the music, by playing on the rhythms and body percussion. The trigger is when they meet the artist, like today. When I see them again at the final concert, they are transformed, happy to offer a beautiful moment to their parents. »
The choir collective is also very important. “They learn that they can count on each other, that even if they forget a word, their friends are nearby and that it doesn’t matter. We really try to reassure them so that they have fun, while putting them in a real artistic position. »
“The most powerful weapon is to sing a lullaby”
With two concerts per day, Angélique Kidjo, who lives in New York, is here for two days of meetings with her young singers. “It’s always important for me to work with children. I put myself in their placesays the artist. At their age, I couldn’t stop asking questions! In this world of technology, we tend to forget that children also need to hear our voices. That the telephone and computers do not have all the answers, and that the love we give them comes through listening and sharing. » She never stops using music to open doors.
“The most powerful weapon is to sing a lullaby. Because it takes you back to your childhood. At this moment of security and love when we don’t yet know that the world is littered with monsterscontinues the woman who has also been a Unicef ambassador for twenty-one years. I saw child soldiers, boys and girls raped during conflicts. I realized that when I sang them a simple lullaby, something inside them relaxed. Suddenly, we see the human reemerge in this empty look of pain and renunciation of life. »
If, here, the context is much less dramatic, Angélique Kidjo’s objective is not so different, and goes well beyond the notes. “Music for me is the best way to touch them beyond words to make them aware of their own importance. Let them realize that they are free to be children and live in a free country. It’s difficult sometimes, but it’s a tremendous power. »
1,500 students from 63 classes are participating in this project which ends with 5 concerts in prestigious venues: the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris and the Marseille Opera. / Jeanne Frank / Divergence for La Croix L’Hebdo
A CM1 class is present on the benches of the marquee. Coming from Stains, everyone has already started working on three pieces, at the rate of one hour per week. A cadence to master seven songs from Angélique’s repertoire in Fon, one of the languages of Benin, and Little Flowera song in French covered by Sidney Bechet.
“It teaches us musicrejoices Oren, 9 years old, and it allows us to sing in a language that I didn’t know. It’s not like music today, I listen to rap, Favé or Ninho, but it’s good ! » He is impatient and very proud to go on stage. “I don’t have stage fright, I’m ready for anything!” I will try to give the best of myself for the concert! »
Same impression for Djena, 10 years old. “I had never heard of Benin before. It makes me discover countries and languages. » And for Maeva, 10 years old, this meeting was a shock. “Usually, I listen to sad songs, like those from Billie Eilish. The first time I listened to Angélique Kidjo, I was blown away, I felt a good mood!»
“Raising awareness of the learning of foreign and native languages during Republican school time is an important issue for usexplains Kamel Dafri, director of the Cities of World Music association for twenty-four years. Music is a great way to do this. The language of the artists echoes that of the children who make up this territory of Seine-Saint-Denis, where 122 languages are spoken. We want to act in stigmatized territories and offer children a common adventure, taking advantage of creative excitement. In the debates on integration and education, we are, perhaps, a small part of the solution. » At the end of the concert, the children sing one last song by Angélique, Ominira, smile from ear to ear. Its title means “Freedom”.
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The five concerts
Montreuil: Saturday, June 22, at 4 p.m., at the City Festival at Montreau Park (free entry)
Paris : Sunday June 23, at 3:15 p.m. and 6:45 p.m., at the Théâtre du Châtelet
Marseille: Wednesday June 26, at 6:30 p.m., and Thursday June 27, at 6:30 p.m., at the Opera
