Performances tonight and tomorrow night by Les Ballets Africains bring the 2004 Bermuda Festival to a dynamic and colourful close.

The national ensemble of the Republic of Guinea has thrilled audiences worldwide since it was formed by the distinguished Guinean choreographer Keita Fodeba in 1952-3. It is universally recognised as Africa's most accomplished touring company.

Described as "a carnival of vibrant, uninhibited movement", the company celebrates its half-century with a compelling programme of traditional dance, music, acrobatics and storytelling. Pulsing rhythms from ancient tribal instruments build the excitement as the company bursts on stage in an explosion of dance and song.

The rich and varied repertoire presents a living demonstration of Africa's prodigious cultural heritage, the vitality and authenticity of which is assured by a continuing connection with the daily life of all African peoples. The company consists of people from each of the principal areas of Guinea, with all of the problems of differing language and customs that that implies, and each member is required to take up the tremendous challenge of becoming proficient in both their own cultural inheritance and that of many other tribes. In its role as Guinea's national dance company, Les Ballets Africains has mastered the art of presenting an accurate portrayal of many of these different cultural forms in a way that is entirely respectful.

Founder Keita Fodeba, born in 1921, did not live to see the tremendous and ongoing success of his efforts to introduce African-style drama to world audiences. Armed with a teaching degree from Dakar (Senegal), Fodeba headed to Paris in the mid-1940s, where he avidly researched theatre and dance. He founded 'The African Theatre of Keita Fodeba' in 1929, renaming it 'Les Ballets Africains de Keita Fodeba' in 1954. The first performance was staged at the Theatre Etoile de Paris in November, 1952 and was an instant success. It then toured France before being brought to Africa in 1955, where it toured the French colonies of West Africa.

Fodeba was selected to become Minister of the Interior of the Republic of Guinea, and was later invited to be the head of Defence and Security of Guinea during the country's war to gain independence. He held several positions in the Government until 1965, when he was arrested for political reasons and killed in prison. Today, Guinea still mourns Fodeba as the teacher who pioneered a dance company that connected African culture to the rest of the world, and introduced its legacy with style and elegance.

Tonight's and tomorrow night's performances of Les Ballets Africains take place at the Ruth Seaton Centre for the Performing Arts beginning at 8 p.m. For ticket/further information see today's Bermuda Calendar.