Category: Culture

Benin has crossed a decisive threshold in its long campaign to reclaim its cultural heritage. After securing the historic return of 26 royal treasures from Abomey in 2021, President Romuald Wadagni has now formally asked his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, to hand back 35 additional cultural objects and historical documents currently held in France. This is not a routine request — it marks a major shift in the pace and scale of Benin’s restitution fight, one that weaves together memory, cultural sovereignty and a bold tourism vision. A fresh offensive…

Tchad N’Djamena weddings embrace Sudanese customs: what’s behind the cultural shift? N’Djamena’s wedding ceremonies are increasingly blending Sudanese traditions, raising concerns about the preservation of Chad’s cultural heritage. As modern practices replace local customs, experts debate the future of Tchad’s matrimonial identity. — 2-minute read Weddings in N’Djamena are undergoing a quiet revolution. Once rooted in deep-seated Tchadian traditions, many ceremonies now incorporate vibrant Sudanese customs that have reshaped the matrimonial landscape of the capital. This cultural fusion has sparked a debate: are these changes enriching the local heritage or…

À quelques jours de l’ouverture des Évala 2026, la ville de Kara se prépare à vivre l’un des temps forts artistiques des festivités. En effet, le 16 juillet, le Stade municipal accueillera le Grand Concert Immersion Évala 2026, une soirée qui réunira plusieurs figures de la scène musicale togolaise dans une célébration où musique, traditions et identité culturelle se rencontreront. Pendant une semaine, Kara redeviendra le cœur battant de la culture togolaise. Certes, les célèbres luttes initiatiques Évala demeurent l’événement central de cette célébration ancestrale, mais la musique occupera également…

Culture Vibrations africaines: a night of celebration and solidarity for Burkina Faso Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn Share by Email The gala celebrated the vibrant cultures of West Africa in a festive and warm atmosphere. On Saturday, June 20, 2026, the Marcel-Sembat hall resonated with the rhythms of West African music and dance during the “Vibrations africaines” gala, organized by the Faso Lili association. Before a crowd of 170 spectators, this colorful evening showcased the richness of West African cultural heritage while supporting a meaningful solidarity…

Anne-Claire Legendre made her priorities clear from the start: this was her first official visit to Morocco as President of the Institut du monde arabe (IMA). Speaking at a press conference held at the French Institute in Casablanca on June 22, she underscored the historic and strategic partnership between the IMA and Morocco, a founding member since 1982 and described as a ‘trusted partner’ in preserving and promoting the Kingdom’s cultural heritage. Her agenda aligned with a busy Franco-Moroccan diplomatic calendar. During a meeting with Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, discussions…

The Tchad Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Crafts recently launched the 2026 Music Festival at N’Djamena’s Hilton roundabout, marking the beginning of a nationwide celebration of unity through rhythm and melody. The event drew officials, cultural stakeholders, artists, promoters and citizens eager to honor the country’s vibrant musical heritage. a festival rooted in social cohesion Under the banner « Music as a Driver of Social Cohesion », the 2026 edition aims to foster dialogue, mutual respect and national unity by making artistic expression accessible to every community. The theme reflects…

The inauguration ceremony of the African Capitals of Culture (ACC) headquarters took place this Thursday in Rabat, drawing a distinguished assembly of cultural and diplomatic figures from across the continent. Rabat now proudly hosts the administrative and operational nerve center for this ambitious pan-African initiative, which aims to celebrate cultural diversity while fostering exchange between African nations. The newly inaugurated facility will serve as a hub for coordinating cultural events, artistic residencies, and collaborative projects throughout the year. a strategic move for cultural diplomacy The decision to establish the ACC…

Anne-Claire Legendre, the newly appointed president of the Institut du monde arabe (IMA), will embark on an official visit to Morocco from June 19 to 24, 2026. Invited by Mohammed Mehdi Bensaid, Morocco’s Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication, the trip marks her first official engagement in the kingdom since assuming leadership of the Paris-based institution in February 2026. The six-day program will take her to Rabat, Casablanca and Marrakech, where she will engage in high-level discussions to finalize a joint cultural roadmap between the IMA and Moroccan institutions. The…

In the first episode of this groundbreaking series, we meet an author on their home soil. Today, it’s Roukiata Ouedraogo—a multi-talented figure blending humor, theatre, and literature. Born in Burkina Faso, she shares her life story from the streets of Ouagadougou to the artistic hubs of Paris, where she now calls home. From Ouagadougou’s streets to Parisian stages « I am a Franco-Burkinabè writer, comedian, and actress. Born in Burkina Faso, I grew up between Fada N’Gourma and Ouagadougou before relocating to France in the early 2000s. My artistic journey…

Togo’s cultural and media landscape mourns the loss of Eugène Kossi Atigan-Ameti, better known as Eugène Atigan, who passed away on June 3, 2026, following a sudden illness. His death leaves a void in the nation’s audiovisual industry, marking the end of an era defined by his charismatic presence and decades of dedication to media and entertainment. For over thirty years, Atigan shaped the country’s television scene through his dynamic roles as host, producer, and cultural ambassador. His name became synonymous with iconic programs like Télé Loisirs, Couleurs des Vacances,…

The Musée national du Tchad in N’Djamena transformed into a vibrant cultural hub on the evening of May 18, 2026, marking the country’s inaugural Nuit des Musées. Organized under the patronage of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Craftsmanship, the event brought together a diverse crowd eager to explore and celebrate Tchadian heritage after dark. As the clock struck 20:00, the museum’s courtyard buzzed with energy. The Ballet national du Tchad kicked off the festivities with a dazzling display of traditional dances, captivating visitors with rhythmic movements and elaborate costumes…

Documentary Indépendance Tey turns Musee des Civilisations Noires into a stage of civic awakening The Musee des Civilisations Noires in Dakar witnessed an extraordinary convergence of art and activism as the city’s cultural elite gathered for the first public screening of Indépendance Tey, the latest cinematic masterpiece by acclaimed Senegalese director Abdou Lahat Fall. The event, organized by Sine Films and Wawkumba Film in collaboration with FRAPP, the Directorate of Cinematography, and the museum itself, transformed a routine film premiere into a living archive of Senegal’s turbulent recent history. A…