Künstler*innenhaus Mousonturm

The anthem for the 2010 FIFA Men’s World Cup is still immediately sounding in everyone’s ears from a mere mention: It is Shakira’s “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa”). The accompanying video is among the most clicked on YouTube, due in no small part to Cristiano Ronaldo’s and Lionel Messi’s cameo appearances – and as such, it is only one example of the close bond that pop music and football may often share.

On the African continent it is common for pop stars to mention the names of professional footballers in their songs. In this way, the up-and-coming talents help each other gain more visibility. For their new work Konami – der Fußballtanz, the dancers and singers of the transnational performance group La Fleur have developed dances and songs with director Monika Gintersdorfer that give an insight into the current realities of life for young soccer and showbiz professionals between the continents.

They focus on the fascinating connections between pop culture and soccer, which awaken dreams of success and fame. Dreams that top African sport is often unable to live up to and that lead many players to embark on the journey to Europe at great risk.