On Saturday, April 13th, the 13th edition of the Market of Arts and Shows of Abidjan (Masa) was officially launched at the Bernard Dadié Cultural Palace in Treichville. The capital of Ivory Coast once again experienced the lively atmosphere of previous editions in 2014 and 2016, between the Felix Houphouët Boigny Stadium and the lagoon area of the cultural palace. Despite the addition of three seating stands and designated spaces, many people were still left standing. The enthusiasm for the festival was already evident in the streets of the city 48 hours before the official opening, with the arrival of groups of visitors. The bustling crowd filled the area, and the many students, journalists, and artists with their unique and exceptional flair added to the charm of the festival. Another highly anticipated and achieved aspect was the participation of the public during the opening ceremony. The younger generation was well represented and was enthusiastically singing along to the popular songs of the artists performing on stage. Artists such as Roseline Layo, Mix Premier, Suspect 95, and Didi B set the stage on fire alongside the National Ballet of Rwanda, which received an overwhelming response from the crowd. Nearly 100 dancers performed a vibrant choreographic spectacle with a message aimed at the youth of Africa to draw inspiration from their traditions to create a new Africa. This was summed up beautifully in the poetic piece of the opening ceremony, “Feet in culture, head in the future.” The ceremony was also graced by the presence of Sandrine Umutoni, Secretary of State for Youth of Rwanda, the guest of honor country. In her speech, Ms. Umutoni spoke of the healing power of arts and culture for her country. Françoise Remarck, the Minister of Culture of Ivory Coast, also touched upon the importance of preserving cultural heritage, which is evident in the Masa festival. The festival received a total of 2500 applications, of which 129 troupes from 59 countries were selected to participate. Over the course of a week, Masa will showcase around 300 performances for the 109 program directors and show buyers in attendance. The General Director of Masa, Abdramane Kamaté, provided these details. Many are calling this year’s edition a “3-star Masa,” alluding to the three Africa Cups won by the Ivory Coast, led by their star player, Didier Drogba. The opening ceremony was presided over by the Prime Minister of Ivory Coast, Robert Beugre Mambe, who wished everyone a great time at the festival. It is safe to say that the 13th edition of Masa did not disappoint, bringing together a diverse range of performances and showcasing the unity and creativity of African culture
—-
Brought to you by Senegal English Media Group
