CULTURE
Culture: news, information and current events in Benin, Africa, and around the world. Traditions, religion, cultural figures, festivals, museums, and traditional celebrations.
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Restitution of cultural property: Yassine Latoundji sets up the national scientific committee in Cotonou
The Minister of Culture, Arts, and Heritage, Yassine Latoundji, officially inaugurated the National Scientific Committee for the Restitution of Cultural Assets this Tuesday, July 14, 2026, in Cotonou. This strategic body will be tasked with leading the scientific and technical… -
Rewrite the history of Benin: ANSALB unveils the foundations of a major scientific project
Invited on Sunday, June 28, 2026, to the Canal 3 Bénin set during the show Zone Franche, Professor François Adebayo Abiola shed light on the ongoing work at the National Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters of Benin (ANSALB). Central… -
DRC: Tshisekedi honors Fally Ipupa after his double concert at Stade de France
Félix Tshisekedi decorated Fally Ipupa with the rank of Knight of the National Order of the Leopard after his historic double concert at the Stade de France. Through this distinction, the Congolese president praises the international influence of the artist… -
Benin: artists and culture professionals now have official status
The Beninese government has taken an important step in organizing the cultural sector. During a meeting of the Council of Ministers, it adopted a decree establishing a legal, social, and economic status for the benefit of artists and cultural professionals.… -
Benin: Jean-Michel Abimbola takes stock of the MTCA and passes the baton
At the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Arts, the transition took place under the sign of assessment and continuity. On the occasion of the handover ceremony, the outgoing minister Jean-Michel Abimbola looked back on the main achievements recorded during his… -
Meeting of Benin’s Public Museums: List of Board Members
The Benin government has established the Administrative Council of the Réunion des musées publics du Bénin (RMPB), a strategic body charged with guiding and overseeing the policy for managing the country’s public museums. The Council is composed of representatives from… -
Benin: President Talon appoints the members of the Commission on Toponymy and National Memory
The President of the Republic of Benin, Patrice Talon, signed a decree appointing the members of the Commission on Toponymy and National Memory. This newly constituted commission aims to contribute to a better structuring of the national memory through the… -
Benin: creation of an agency to assist with the return of Afro-descendants
The Beninese government announced in a cabinet meeting the establishment of a new structure dedicated to supporting Afro-descendants who wish to obtain Beninese nationality, following the adoption of Law 2024-31 of September 2, 2024 relating to the recognition of nationality… -
Vodun Days 2026: the government congratulates itself on the smooth running of the event
The Beninese government has given a positive assessment of the 2026 edition of the Vodun Days festival, praising the organization, participation, and cultural impact of this event, which was held recently in Ouidah. In a statement made on the margins… -
Vodun Days Festival: significant economic impact, according to Jean-Michel Abimbola
On the occasion of the Vodun Days festival, a cultural event that has become a major fixture in Benin, Jean-Michel Abimbola highlighted the festival’s positive economic impact. Speaking on the festival’s socio-economic reach, Jean-Michel Abimbola noted that Vodun Days goes… -
Tofa and Vodun Days 2026 in Benin: between the Fa prophecy and a global cultural showcase
Between spiritual revelation and popular fervor, Ouidah pulsed to the rhythm of the Tofa and Vodun Days 2026. Carried by the sign Losso Sa, herald of stability and prosperity, this edition confirmed Benin’s ambition to make Vodoun a cultural, spiritual,… -
In Benin, around 1.25 trillion invested in culture and tourism over 10 years.
Benin has chosen to place culture and tourism at the heart of its strategy for economic development. On the occasion of Vodun Days, held from January 8 to 10 in Ouidah, the government reaffirmed this orientation through statements by the… -
Benin: Cotonou launches the contractual phase of the Cultural and Creative Quarter
The contracting process for the construction of Cotonou’s Cultural and Creative Quarter (QCC) has been officially approved, paving the way for work to begin. This large-scale project covers more than 12 hectares and aims to provide the economic capital with… -
Guinea-Bissau: key takeaways from the first meeting between the junta and ECOWAS
An ECOWAS delegation arrived in Bissau this Monday, December 1, 2025, hoping to engage in a dialogue with the new military authorities. This visit comes after the November 26 coup, which plunged the country into a serious institutional crisis. West… -
Tourism: Paris–Cotonou flights at special fares, Benin rolls out the red carpet for the holidays
The Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts, Jean-Michel Abimbola, unveiled on November 29 an initiative that’s already making waves: Paris–Cotonou flights at preferential fares for the holiday period. This scheme, designed for the diaspora and travelers during the festive… -
Benin: Minister Abimbola assesses the progress of the International Vodun Museum in Porto-Novo
The construction site of the Musée international du Vodun, located at the entrance to Porto-Novo, was visited by the Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts, Babalola Jean Michel Hervé Abimbola, on Thursday, November 27, 2025. This visit is part… -
19 young Beninese creators at the Forum Création Africa Lagos 2025
Du 16 au 18 octobre 2025, Lagos accueillera la deuxième édition du Forum Création Africa, une initiative du ministère français de l’Europe et des Affaires étrangères, portée par MansA – Maison des Mondes Africains. Après une première édition à Paris… -
Verckys and Génia Ohini: the European Union honors two Beninese talents
The Residence of the European Union in Benin came alive on 16 October 2025 with colors and shapes at the opening of a joint exhibition by two Beninese artists: Verckys, painter, and Génia Ohini, sculptor. This event is part of… -
Ouidah: Three luxury hotels set to be built soon in Avlékété
The Beninese government announced, at the Council of Ministers on September 24, 2025, an ambitious tourism development project in Ouidah, more precisely in the Avlékété area. This major hotel program provides for the construction of three upscale hotel complexes intended… -
Ouidah: the entrance monument to the ‘Historic City’ demolished as part of a major project
The monument bearing the inscription « Cité historique de Ouidah », located at the entrance to the tourist town, was demolished during the week of September 15, 2025. Announced for Thursday, September 18, the operation caused sadness and questions among… -
Angelique Kidjo: 1st African star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Angélique Kidjo, the legendary Beninese singer and multiple award-winner (5 Grammy Awards), makes history. She became the first African artist to receive a star on the prestigious Hollywood Walk of Fame. The official announcement of the selection for the Walk… -
Ivory Coast: French Senate approves return of the Djidji Ayokwê Talking Drum
On Monday, April 28, 2025, the French Senate unanimously approved a bill authorizing the restitution of the Djidji Ayokwê Talking Drum to Ivory Coast. The decision was warmly welcomed by Françoise Remarck, Ivorian Minister of Culture and Francophonie. The next… -
“Nezha 2”: The Chinese Animated Film Smashing Global Records
It’s a global phenomenon—one that French audiences are only just discovering. Nezha 2, the Chinese animated film, hits theaters in France on April 23, 2025, riding the wave of a sensational international success. With over $2 billion in global box…