African Foundations, Diaspora, and Legacy in Global Musics

Closing concert

On 1 April, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., Plein becomes the stage for ‘Africa, Diaspora and Legacy’ - a one-hour performance presented by three ensembles from Codarts Global Musics. The concert marks the culmination of an intensive week of creation and rehearsal developed in the shared space of Culture & Campus, where students worked in proximity to the Rotterdam neighbourhood of Putselaan before bringing the project to Fenix.

Across oceans and generations, rhythm and voice have travelled with people, carried in song, memory and the body. As music moves, it expands: patterns evolve, melodies adapt, and new forms emerge through encounter.

During this hour-long performance, three ensembles will give distinct yet connected performances reflecting how sound develops through migration and exchange as a result of the transatlantic slave trade.

What you will hear is not a reconstruction of the past, but a living, contemporary expression shaped by history but rooted in the present. Join us on the Plein for an hour of powerful live music that connects movement, community and shared experiences.

Codarts

Codarts University of the Arts in Rotterdam offers higher education in music, dance, and circus. Students from diverse countries and cultural backgrounds study together in an international environment. Codarts combines craftsmanship, creativity, and personal development to prepare students for a professional career in the arts.

Global Musics Programme

Global Musics brings together musical traditions, creativity, and innovation. In this programme, musicians explore different musical traditions and contemporary forms from interconnected cultural worlds. You investigate musical heritage, develop your own artistic voice, and collaborate with musicians and tradition-bearers. Themes such as heritage, migration, and exchange are central.