My name is ESPERANCE SIKULI; I was born in Goma, East of the Democratic Republic of Congo, on 8 August 1980.

Goma become a province in 1988, this means I am 8 years older than my province.

My hometown has very beautiful tourist places. That’s why it is even described as the tourist capital city of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Goma is a town located in a valley found on Virunga volcanic range with it famous Nyiragongo Volcanic Mountain. Basing on a legend, this mountain is referred to as the residence of ‘LIANGOMBE’ the god of punishment and crooks.

 I don’t know what wrong we did to deserve his punishment but on 17 January 2000 he visited us with an eruption. Oh, what a tragedy! Is it because the Interahamwe took refuge behind him a

fter committing genocide in Rwanda that LIANGOMBE decided to put his thunder on us? It’s a question whose answer is known to nobody.

 It is difficult for my generation to identify itself in relation to the crash of civilization. Does it have to believe in the legend or the realities of science? What is important in all this is to be aware and to know very well our own history, and also accept today’s realities as part of our life.

I started my artistic career very young in this very town. At school I was already known through performances in school’s drama competition. After my studies of literature in high school, I joined management & administration at the University due to lack of artistic training in the East of Congo.

Motivated with the desire to learn, I started training, with a permanent contact, at the ‘Centre d’étude Et de Production Vidéographique’ (CEPV) in YOLE! AFRICA. Its here that my brother Petna Ndaliko Katondolo discovered my talent and encouraged me in the art field.

As he himself is a filmmaker and Choreographer, he taught me to like the contemporary dance and to practice it. This became another way I could express myself and make myself understood just through corporal expression.

 At present, I only have one thing in my brain, to boost SKIFF (Salaam Kivu International Film Festival), of which I am the Director, so that it can raise high.

Being in its first edition, SKIFF believes that through art, the conscious young people can participate in the process of democratization of the continent as well as contributing to its sustainable development.” ART FOR SOCIAL CHANGES”

Aiming at promoting worldwide artistic works of the Alkebulan continent particularly the ones from enclave part of the East part of the DRC, SKIFF came to open it up and is here to stay.

My concern is to keep the struggle against unconscious men who continue to sexually abuse our mothers, sisters and future mothers of our families and homeland.

I think it is time for me to shout loudly, plead for the cause and denounce the politicians  of my country for closing their eyes to most of the victims, thus through my struggle, the government will take its responsibility towards these violent and marginalized  people any kind of violence at large.