An interview with Kapinga Gysel on the beauty of participatory work. By An Rosiers.
Kapinga Gysel is one of our soulful singers. She pumps that "soul" into her projects as well. With a sparkling artistic address book, she gives youth a prominent place in her career. From now on also in the Handelsbeurs.
'In New Ghent and Ledeberg, we questioned the children after the first lockdown. What did they miss most? Having fun, dancing, drawing, singing, ... All their hobbies had been 'taken away' and that in often too small apartments.
For those kids, I organize democratic, creative camps without barriers, like last year in Vooruit with a hot show moment in Monterey. We were looking for a place to do that back. The aHA! festival combines perfectly with this. The Handelsbeurs has a big heart for young promise.'
Kapinga Gysel
The brand new festival also marks the start of a larger collaboration. Starting March 9, Kapinga will host weekly workshops there in which she also hopes to connect with house artists. 'The more varied such a group is, the richer it is. You don't have to be able to sing right, you have to love to sing and create.
In doing so, I fight for accessibility, such as for foreign-language newcomers and other groups that are struggling a bit. Parental trust is crucial. Downtown sometimes remains intimidating. I discovered this through my working in New Ghent, where certain people barely leave their neighborhood.'
Fragility without frills
The need to focus more on welfare, diversity and equal opportunities is high. Fantastic what the City of Ghent is already doing. But you really have to be a 'clean fool' to stay committed. To my great regret, I see so many warm and capable people and networkers dropping out. Support for good social-artistic workers is so necessary. They hold social fabric together.
I want to show the beauty of participatory work. The simple strength and resilience of people. I am only a link to what is alive in others. I try to translate that into song, theater and movement. Bringing the stories and fragility of people on stage without much frills.
Kapinga Gysel
Coming of age
'My music career was a rush. What started by chance with my own group The Congee led to music with Sioen, Roland, Arno and then Zita Swoon. And suddenly you wonder what you yourself want to mean in society.'
She discovered this eleven years ago while walking in Ledeberg. I heard the socio-artistic orchestra of the Ledebirds rehearsing in a garage. Such a cool initiative, though many boys then. While I saw the girls on the street with their brothers or sisters, without any other occupation. That appealed to me enormously. I started singing sessions there. These soon burst at the seams after which we started our own operation.'
She finds her focus on young people evident. 'We are at a tipping point with social, political and economic choices. That is why I want to create together with youth and let them shine during Ghent European Youth Capital in 2024. It is possible if we combine all cultural and other forces in Ghent. And of course also towards Ghent Cultural Capital 2030. Yes we can (laughs).
