Perspectives by DRC intellectuals on the subjugation of their country are at the centre of an exhibition and a book in Belgium.

'When we speak about colonisation' is the theme of a new installation at KUUMBA, Vlaams – Afrikaans Huis (House of Flanders and Africa) in Brussels, Belgium. Belgian artists Vesna Faassen & Lukas Verdijk designed the installation, driven by a desire to listen to Congolese voices. The artists havealso published a book with contributions by Donatien Dibwe dia Mwembu, Sindani Kiangu, Pamphile Mabiala Mantuba-Ngoma, Jean-Marie Matumba Makombo en Jacob Sabakinu Kivulu, touching on the themes of:nationalism, 'civilization', women in the colonial army and 'évolué's' (a term used to describe black middle class in Belgian Congo).

There has never been a Dutch-language book by a Congolese historian published in Flanders, a fact that has received remarkably little attention. However, it is precisely this discrepancy that inspired the artists to initiate the project 'When we talk about colonisation', that is a collaboration with Congolese historians - all educated and employed in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The book is the first Dutch book to appear in Flanders by Congolese historians. The book includes contributions from five authors, who accepted a request to select one of their won articles that they consider significant to the Dutch-language debate in Flanders.

More information about the exhibition and the book here: www.faassen-verdijk.com