Nancy Nkusi elevates the reconstruction of a child soldier through music

Presented during the Les Zébrures festival in Limoges, which runs from September 23 to October 3, 2026, the play "L'enfant-soldat née Musique" addresses the crucial issue of reconstruction after armed violence. Written by Zeina Kahn and directed by Serge Wolfsperger, this show highlights the journey of Soledad, a young girl abducted at fourteen by paramilitaries. The lead role is played by Rwandan actress Nancy Nkusi, who carries this dramatic trajectory through acting, dance, and song, according to RFI Culture.

While approximately 300,000 children are forcibly recruited into armed conflicts around the world, the production chooses to explore the aftermath of war rather than just the violence of combat. The work details the ordeal of captive young girls, subjected to chores, abuse, and training in murder. The narrative focuses on how a survivor manages to reintegrate into the world of the living after escaping from a paramilitary camp, a challenge the creator describes as a resurrection through art and sound.

On stage, the soundtrack is entirely crafted live without electronic assistance, thanks to the work of accordionist Natasa Grujovic, creator Stéphan Ink, Malagasy artist Dina Mialinelina, and Congolese composer Denis Mpunga. This acoustic creation illustrates the heroine's auditory sensitivity, as she is capable of converting urban tumult and trauma into living compositions. The play also expresses itself through several African languages, blending Lingala, Kikongo, Swahili, and French to structure a rhythmic textual score.

Our perspective

This show offers an essential reflection on the rehabilitation of young victims of armed conflict, a tragedy that severely affects populations across the continent. By placing art and African languages at the heart of resilience, the theatrical creation restores the dignity of survivors and serves as a reminder of the absolute imperative to protect childhood in order to preserve Africa's future.