Africa SIMPLY THE BEST et ANKATA COACHING
Ankata means "forward" in Dioula. Located in Bobo-Dioulasso, this associative space was designed and built as a creative laboratory, a crossroads of social and civic links, a place to work and live, to experiment with all possibilities, an exhortation to move forward and reinvent one's environment.
Africa SIMPLY THE BEST and ANKATA COACHING function as a platform for the promotion of young creators in the performing arts, with an affirmed approach of knowledge sharing. The first stage of this programme consists of identifying contemporary African talent, training them and bringing them together on the same stage, with a view to their promotion and positioning at the forefront of the performing arts.
Projet de création, production et diffusion d'œuvres théâtrales et musicales à travers le numérique, les lieux de cultures et les écoles primaires et secondaires dans deux communes à faible accès à l'offre culturelle au Bénin
Théâtre d'Afrique is an NGO that promotes intercultural exchanges for human development and integration into society. It is also active in research, artistic creation, awareness raising, communication for behavioural change, heritage preservation and training.
This project aims to promote culture in the disadvantaged municipalities of Benin, namely Bonou and Avrankou. By presenting a musical theatre show at 10 cultural centres, 45 primary and secondary schools, and via digital channels, the NGO also aims to educate people about the consumption of cultural works online. In terms of added value, social cohesion is promoted and the right to rest and leisure is ensured for the populations of these isolated regions.
Les Actrales: Formation, production, création et diffusion
In order to help build an African society that is worthy and proud of its values and culture, Arkadi Cultures proposes to strengthen the capacities of stakeholders in the cultural and creative industries; to work towards the enhancement and safeguarding of African heritage; to organise responsible tourism to encourage socio-cultural and environmental relations...
The "Les Actrales" project trains stage technicians, actors and directors in organic theatre in order to raise the quality of performance art. Organic theatre aims to develop the spectator's sensitivity by moving from physiology to empathy. It is a form of interactive performance that allows for the emergence of speech and reflection around a chosen theme. After training, the shows will be presented to the general public.
Sosongo
The Théâtre Soleil is a cultural association working to develop theatre for young audiences and to promote artistic and cultural education. Its mission is governed by the creation, training and production of shows for young audiences and all audiences in disciplines such as theatre, puppetry and storytelling.
Convinced of the usefulness of art for the individual construction and cultural identity of the child, the "Sosongo" ("the right way") initiative wishes to increase the range of quality shows for young audiences. It also works to involve schoolchildren in the process of artistic creation and to develop the creative spirit of educational staff. Through its activities, it contributes to the reinforcement of citizenship, social cohesion, the prevention of extremism and the fight against terrorism.
"Sahelles connect", promotion of Cultural and Creative Industries
The “Sahelles connect” project consists of a programme to structure the cultural and creative industries in Mauritania, targeting youth, education and women, and in cooperation with the other countries of the G5 Sahel, West Africa and North Africa. Through this new scheme, the association is committed to opening a vocational training course in the arts and culture (“Mauritalent”), and to setting up an incubator for 15 cultural businesses run by Mauritanian women. In this perspective of economic and social development, education on rights, freedom and the place of women in the Islamic Republic remain major challenges for strengthening democracy.
Overview of expected productions
– Development of artistic products by young Mauritanian artists in cooperation with female artists from the G5 Sahel region, – Development of a “Green Festival” label
– Development of a new format for the Journal Rappé “Chitaari”
– Promotion of digital accessibility and development of new content
Focus on Assalamalekoum Cultures
Chaired by the Mauritanian artist Monza, Assalamalekoum Cultures is an association focused on cultural innovation in Mauritania. It has been working with the Assalam Alekoum festival since 2014, in consortium with ZAZA Productions, an independent music label. This multidisciplinary festival has been hosting artists from the world of music, cinema, dance and fashion for 14 years.
"Les Récréâtrales", pan-African platform for contemporary theatre
Initiated in 2002, the contemporary theatre festival Les Récréâtrales struggled to find its audience. In 2006, it decided to go out and meet them and set up in the Gounghin district of Ouagadougou. Les Récréâtrales set up its stages in family courtyards, instantly involving the local communities. It was an instant success. Thanks to the ACP-EU Culture (West Africa) - AWA programme, Les Récréâtrales intends to develop a digital platform for its creative and educational content and thus support the spread of pan-African contemporary theatre internationally, always with a view to including non-French-speaking theatre (initially Lusophone, Arabic-speaking and English-speaking) and a project for South-South and South-North artistic cooperation.
A look at planned productions
- broadcasting of at least 19 shows, including 10 creations produced or co-produced by the Récréâtrales and 3 non-French language shows
- translation and subtitling of the works presented
- representation of all regions of the African continent during the next two editions of the festival
- setting up a pan-African and international network for the distribution of works
Focus on les Récréâtales
Today the Récréâtrales – Résidences panafricaines d'écriture, de création et de recherche théâtrale (Panafrican theatre writing, creation and research residencies) – form one of the major events in contemporary theatre in French-speaking Africa. Its festival takes place every two years, from February to November, in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso). It fosters open dialogue within the community and enables citizen engagement and empowermen
"Présence Noire dans la Danse", promotion of dance arts
More than ever, École des Sables wants to maintain its educational role and offer development opportunities to young dancers from the continent. This centre of excellence offers participants local and international artistic career opportunities. However, in order to allow black dancers to reveal themselves and to blossom outside the stereotypes of the dance world, it is essential that this course be given by teachers and researchers from Africa, its diaspora and the West Indies, in a spirit of sharing, dialogue and reciprocal exchange. Moreover, the collaborations between Pan-African dancers will be the fruit of new creations offered to festivals and a touring circuit in Europe, the United States and the world.
A look at planned productions
- Access to certified training for 30 dancers from Africa and the diaspora
- creating and nurturing different work opportunities through original choreographic writing rooted in black identity
- establishing communication tools
Focus on JANT-BI- École des Sables
Founded by Germaine Acogny and Helmut Vogt in 1998, Jant-Bi - École des Sables, the International Centre for Traditional and Contemporary African Dance, aims to provide professional training for African dancers and to develop and promote contemporary African dance. It has already trained over 700 dancers from 27 African countries.
"Agir ensemble pour grandir"
The Atelier Nomade houses the École Internationale de Théâtre du Bénin as well as several performance spaces, regular venues for Beninese, Togolese, Burkinabe and Nigerian artists. In addition to the establishment of a permanent, multi-purpose troupe of some twenty talents (directors, actors, dancers, puppeteers, circus artists, etc.), the consolidation and expansion project "Agir ensemble pour grandir " includes the creation of a museum of the performing arts. By working on the synergy between 9 sub-regional theatres (6 in Benin, 1 in Togo, 1 in Niger and 1 in Burkina Faso) and the networking of their cultural content, the project intends to take advantage of the income and move towards financial autonomy, a key objective for true anchoring and sustainability.
A look at planned productions
- creation of a permanent troupe
- opening 12 small format residences and 2 large format residences
- development of a network of cultural operators from 4 neighbouring countries
- creation of a digital platform and an online ticketing service with payment of tickets by telephone
- regular animation of the three stages of the Atelier Nomade
- creation and monetisation of a performing arts museum
Focus on Atelier Nomade
Atelier Nomade opened its doors in 1992. It is now home to the École Internationale de Théâtre du Bénin, a higher education institution that prepares students for a state diploma. The two pillars of its mission are professional training and artistic creation, which enable the cultural and artistic education of young people and local communities. The theatre school often works on themes that contribute to human development and good citizenship.
"Maremusica", production and distribution of music from Cape Verde
Highly impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Cape Verdean cultural industry, and even more so its independent music industry, is in danger of disappearing. To save this popular heritage, Maremusica proposes to revive traditional music in Cape Verde by relocating the entire production chain to the archipelago. From identifying new talent to the creation of labels, including the opening of recording studios and the organisation of tours, this project involves the creation of around a hundred jobs (musicians, technicians, communication, digital, etc.) and guarantees the safeguarding and revival of the popular treasure that is Cape Verdean music.
A look at planned productions
- Production of 3 albums: an established artist in the Cape Verdean musical tradition; and two young talents, male and female
- Production of a major work of traditional Cape Verdean music (Mornas) with the Symphony Orchestra of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, from Portugal
- Creation of digital platforms and uploading and monetising online content
- Creating jobs in the sector and ensuring income for artists and their families
- Attracting new investors
Focus on Maremusica, Produção, edição e distribuição musical
Founded in 2016 by musician and writer Mario Lucio, former Cape Verdean Minister of Culture, Maremusica's main objective is the creative and financial independence of Cape Verdean artists, the protection of traditional music and the discovery of new talent.
"La NEUF", training, creation and production
The Malian cultural industry offers a plethora of stakeholders but is cruelly lacking in scriptwriters, costume designers and other entertainment professionals without whom works cannot exist. In response to this shortage, "La NEUF" (Nouvelle École Usine et de Formation) offers a system of training, both face-to-face and at a distance, including workshops, masterclasses and internships for dialogue with professionals. This proposal for training in the performing arts will ultimately lead to the creation of new shows to be presented during a tour of 8 cities, already established by the association. Acte SEPT also intends to involve communities in order to establish a sustainable and culturally endogenous funding mechanism, a factor in sustainable development.
A look at planned productions
- Creation of a digital platform for training
- Establishment of 16 workshops on the performing arts professions
- Creation of 8 plays
- Distribution of the 8 plays in the 8 cities of the Sirabo network
- Creation of a partner network
- Organisation of a festival
Focus on Acte SEPT
According to Acte SEPT, the project leader, "everyone must be able to participate in the cultural life of their choice and exercise their own cultural practices within the limits imposed by respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. " Driven by this vision, the association has been working in Bamako since 1994 and has been moving to the rhythm of its Festival du Théâtre des Réalités since 1996.