LaBa! 2015 – Back to the Future

Back to the Future: A reflection by artists on the future relating to the past and present. A day full of arts and music surrounded by a joyful energetic crowd. A Fake Empire, the questions of bamboo, the belly of the beast, people dancing in lines, ‘Bonfire!’ – How a single street leads us back to the future. A usual street in Kampala: Rough asphalt, passing vehicles, company buildings with huge coloured signs, the steps and voices of the passengers, traffic jam in the afternoon. 

A Fake Empire, the questions of bamboo, the belly of the beast, people dancing in lines, “Bonfire” –How a single street leads us back to the future. A usual street in Kampala: Rough asphalt, passing vehicles, company buildings with huge colored signs, the steps and voices of the passengers, traffic jam in the afternoon. It’s a day like any other, but suddenly something changes. Workers appear, tents and big lights are growing out of the ground. Stages with heavy speakers get installed.In the early morning every single corner and every wall gets filled with art pieces, installations, sculptures, paintings and photography. The street becomes more and more energetic and crowded. Around midday of Saturday 13th June 2015 it’s visible everywhere: The LaBa! Arts Festival is back where it started – on Bukoto Street. This year’s LaBa! celebrating its 9th year aimed to create visions for the future reflecting on the past and the present.

Can such a complex process of creation be done during a festival? Dynamic performances, interactive installations, workshops, crafts, graffiti and live painting, literature at the bonfire. A multifaceted festival was formed by giving space to many young and upcoming artists with different approaches. Engaging audiences in creativity, joy and energy. The ‘Art is for Everyone’ ethos was definitely achieved. Especially the collaboration projects developed a big potential.
The street becomes more and more energetic and crowded. Around midday of Saturday 13th June 2015 it’s visible everywhere: The LaBa! Arts Festival is back where it started – on Bukoto Street. This year’s LaBa! celebrating its 9th year aimed to create visions for the future reflecting on the past and the present. Can such a complex process of creation be done during a festival? Dynamic performances, interactive installations, workshops, crafts, graffiti and live painting, literature at the bonfire. A multifaceted festival was formed by giving space to many young and upcoming artists with different approaches. Engaging audiences in creativity, joy and energy. The ‘Art is for Everyone’ ethos was definitely achieved. Especially the collaboration projects developed a big potential.