Museum Hosts Reading and Performance from Amoussa Koriko’s Play, Night Shadow

The North Dakota Museum of Art will host a reading and performance from Night Shadow, a 2009 play by Amoussa Koriko just published in France by Harmattan and presented in conjunction with Elias Sime’s exhibition on May 3 at 5 pm. The animated reading will feature dance and music. According to this UND French language instructor from Togo in West Africa, “As a playwright and director, I wanted to explore through this reading Africa’s cultural heritage as a background for the unfolding of the story that deals with the complexity of war in Africa.” Koriko founded the Grand Forks African Arts Arena to share African arts and culture through presentations in schools and in the community.

The evening will begin with a reception, introductions, and a brief explanation of the difficult subject matter. Following the performance, a panel discussion will be held. The event is free and open to the public. Notice: contains adult material - may not be suitable for children.

Amoussa Koriko was born in Lomé, the capital city of Togo in West Africa, in the district called Nyékonakpoè. Nyékonakpoè is a working class, traditional, and chaotic neighborhood in one of the most crowded areas in Lomé. Amoussa grew up surrounded by more than twelve national languages among which he understands five. This environment constitutes a major element that shapes Amoussa’s writings. He has a degree in Communication and Linguistics from the University of Lomé, where as a protest against the education system, he refused to write his master thesis. He is currently working on his PhD degree in Educational Foundations and Research at the University of North Dakota.

Night Shadow responds to the challenges that face Africa, including topics from genocide and war to the West’s view regarding aid and assistance to the people of Africa. About Night Shadow Amoussa writes, “After participating in the murder of a young girl’s family during genocide, one of the main characters, Djima, a ‘former’ member of the militia, meets her. Djima justifies his actions to Lashuana, telling her, ‘It was for you that I've done this, to protect you.’ His story makes Lashuana ‘fall’ in love with him in spite of the fact he was her family’s killer. Djima reiterates his promise to protect her for the rest of their lives. All this unfolds in a disturbing dream like environment where the mind’s ability to comprehend is challenged.”

As an African, Amoussa asks questions about how Africa has become what it is today. Why with all its wealth, Africa is still the “old woman who cannot stand on her feet and who every kid around the world thinks they should help?” Finally an answer came to him: write Night Shadow to share his concerns with others.

The North Dakota Museum of Art is located on Centennial Drive in Grand Forks. The Museum hours are weekdays from 9 am – 5 pm and weekends from 1 pm – 5 pm. The Museum Shop is open during these hours. There is no general admission; however, there is a suggested donation of $5 from adults and change from children. In addition, the Museum Café is open for lunch, weekdays from 11 am – 3 pm. Parking is available in front of the Museum in the metered parking lot or a block east of the Museum on Centennial Drive in the Visitors Parking. For more information, please call 701-777-4195 or visit www.ndmoa.com.