Amidst the sprawling Bidi Bidi refugee settlement in Uganda, home to over 250,000 displaced individuals, a melodic flute pierces the air. The enchanting notes float past five young men gathered under a majestic fig tree, the very spot where a dream was born – a dream to create a sanctuary for the creative spirits seeking refuge in this 250 square kilometer haven.
Welcome to the Bidi Bidi Performing Arts Centre, a 1,000-seat theatre that has become a beacon of hope and harmony for the scores of talented refugee youth who now call this settlement their temporary home. Initiated in 2022, this awe-inspiring circular structure stands as a testament to the transformative power of the arts.
Embracing Music as a Tool for Healing
For the young refugees who have fled conflict and trauma, the arts centre offers more than just a creative outlet – it provides a path to healing. Edward Byemba, a refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo and music teacher at the centre, reflects on the humble beginnings under the fig tree that now shelters his students:
“People always gathered under this tree to sing and dance. This tree represents the place that sheltered us until we grew and built the centre.”
– Edward Byemba, Music Teacher at Bidi Bidi Performing Arts Centre
One of Edward’s students, 21-year-old Ceaser Godfrey, bravely shares his own story of transformation. Once plagued by fights, alcohol, and drug abuse – coping mechanisms for the horrors he witnessed in South Sudan – Godfrey found solace in music. Now, his voice booms with newfound purpose as he sings of freedom and redemption alongside his peers.
Nurturing Talent, Fostering Peace
The centre, run by Ugandan NGO Sina Loketa and funded by Swiss philanthropist organization To: Foundation and the Playing for Change Foundation, operates on a simple yet profound principle: “Creative expression is a fundamental human right.” By harnessing the power of music and dance, the centre aims to nurture talent while bolstering social cohesion and healing trauma.
Victor Aluonzi, a music teacher at the arts centre, emphasizes the importance of reinforcing messages of peace in a refugee settlement where conflict can arise on multiple fronts. Traditional musician and South Sudanese refugee Moses Modi, 29, takes this mission to heart, using his soulful folk tunes to evoke nostalgia and dreams of a peaceful return home:
“When I sing, I think about the future. We, the youth will change a lot of things – not with guns but with all the things that we have learned in Uganda.”
– Moses Modi, Musician at Bidi Bidi Performing Arts Centre
A Beacon of Sustainability and Hope
The Bidi Bidi Performing Arts Centre stands as more than just a creative hub; it is a model of sustainable design. During the rainy season, water slides off the centre’s funnel-like roof, filtered through black stones into a 200,000-liter underground tank that supplies both refugees and Ugandans.
As the centre’s impact ripples through the settlement, it brings with it a renewed sense of hope and possibility. In the words of Victor Aluonzi: “We talk about playing for change because we work towards all kinds of transformations – economic transformations, united communities, less violence and more healing.”
In a world where conflict and displacement have become all too common, the Bidi Bidi Performing Arts Centre serves as a shining example of the resilience of the human spirit. Through music, dance, and creative expression, these young refugees are not only healing their own wounds but paving the way for a brighter, more harmonious future.
As the sounds of the flute continue to float through the settlement, they carry with them a message of hope – a reminder that even in the darkest of times, the arts have the power to uplift, unite, and transform. The Bidi Bidi Performing Arts Centre stands as a beacon of that hope, a testament to the indomitable spirit of the refugees who have found a new home, and a new voice, within its walls.
