Could a bookstore become the unlikely stage for one of West Africa’s most ambitious cultural statements in Europe? That is the question hanging over the Fnac Saint-Lazare in Paris, where Benin will take center stage from September 22 to October 17, 2026. For nearly four weeks, the venue will host an unprecedented lineup of exhibitions, conversations, film screenings, and live music designed to spark a genuine dialogue between history, memory, spirituality, and contemporary creation.
This is not a folkloric display. The program, organized with support from the Embassy of the Republic of Benin in France for several of the announced events, will occupy the third-floor meeting forum of the store. It aims to explore multiple dimensions of the country: its spiritual traditions, its past linked to the Kingdom of Dahomey and the transatlantic slave trade, the ongoing debate over the restitution of cultural property, as well as contemporary artistic production, literature, gastronomy, and modern music.
A photographic opening that sets the tone
The curtain rises on September 22 with the photography exhibition “Ayérayé: Éternel,” showcasing the work of Beninese photographer and designer Eustache Ahomagnon. Running through October 17, the display sits at the intersection of photography and textile creation.
Ahomagnon explores memory, spirituality, and contemporary art through the world of the Egungun, figures tied to ancestor worship among the Yoruba people. His images engage in conversation with textile pieces inspired by the shapes, materials, and movements associated with these traditions.
From the outset, the exhibition signals the spirit of the entire program: presenting a Benin that is both deeply rooted in its heritage and firmly committed to contemporary creativity.
Spirituality, tradition, and literary voices
On September 24, a panel discussion will bring together Saskia Cousin Kouton, professor of sociology and author, journalist Delphine Bousquet Hazoumè, and researcher Richard J.V. Sogan. They will exchange views on spirituality, traditions, and several works dedicated to Beninese heritage.
The following day, chef Georgiana Viou takes the floor. Born in Benin, she will share her personal journey and present her book “Oui cheffe! Du Bénin à l’étoile Michelin. Itinéraire d’une battante.” Her story also highlights gastronomy as a vehicle for cultural transmission: Beninese ingredients and flavors continue to shape her work, even within a cuisine built across multiple influences.
Music then takes over. On September 26, Beninese artist Joe Kingston will deliver a showcase built around his “Afro futur vibes” universe, where hip-hop meets contemporary African sounds. The next day, poet and slam artist Sergent Markus will present his album “Vodun Gospel,” a project steeped in musical references drawn from vodun culture.
From Dahomey to the restitution of cultural objects
The program also confronts the most sensitive chapters of Beninese history.
On October 1, a discussion will focus on Dahomey and the history of slavery. Writer and journalist Vincent Hugeux will talk with Frédéric Ravatin, an engineer and scientific scenographer, about the work behind the “Bateau de la Mémoire” in Ouidah—a memorial installation dedicated to the transatlantic slave trade.
The next day, the question of cultural property restitution between France and Benin moves to center stage. Ambassador Angelo Dan, Romain Da Costa, and heritage curator Kolawodé Daniel Abidjo will revisit a historic process that has profoundly shaped cultural relations between the two countries.
These thematic choices give the event a particularly powerful historical and memorial dimension. It is no longer simply about presenting works or artists, but about questioning how a nation tells its past, preserves its heritage, and builds its relationship with the world.
Cinema as a bridge between memory and the present
On October 4, the focus shifts to film with a screening of “Retour à Ouidah 1993. Les Revenants,” a documentary by Charles Najman about the return to Ouidah—a city intimately linked to the history of vodun and to the African diaspora born of the slave trade. The screening will be followed by a conversation with journalist, producer, and programmer Emmanuelle Honorin.
Through this film, made in the context of the Ouidah 92 Festival, the program creates a dialogue between images of the past and contemporary questions about memory, identity, and the ties between Benin and its diaspora.
A vibrant contemporary scene
Current creation is far from forgotten. On September 30, a carte blanche will be given to director, co-producer, and cinematographer Mr DYRECK. His work, developed between Benin and France, reflects a new generation of artists using images to tell the story of West Africa differently.
On October 10, music takes on a new dimension with singer and jazz artist Mina Agossi, who will present her album “Dynamic. Tribute to Dinah Washington.”
Finally, on October 17, the program closes with a showcase by the group Teriba, described as Benin’s first all-female music band. Founded in 2002, the collective gained recognition for its a cappella singing and its commitment to promoting Beninese cultural heritage.
Paris as a crossroads for Beninese cultures
Through this series of events, Fnac Saint-Lazare transforms its Parisian space into a genuine showcase for Benin over nearly four weeks. From photography to gastronomy, from slam to jazz, from cinema to history, the program paints a multifaceted portrait of a country whose heritage continues to fuel contemporary creation.
It also serves as a reminder that Beninese culture is not a frozen legacy. It is passed down, reinvented, and debated. Between vodun traditions, the memory of Dahomey, the history of the slave trade, discussions on the restitution of artworks, and new artistic expressions, an entire narrative of Benin finds its way into the heart of Paris.
All announced events are free and open to the public, subject to availability. Fnac Saint-Lazare invites curious minds, enthusiasts of African culture, members of the Beninese diaspora, and anyone eager to discover or rediscover a country whose history and creativity hold a unique place in cultural exchanges between Africa and France.
