Barely two months after the 34th edition of the African Cup of Nations (CAN), Côte d’Ivoire is once again in the spotlight. This time, it’s not on the ball, but on the performing arts.

By Yacouba Sangaré

From April 13 to 20, 2024, the city will host the 13th edition of the Marché des arts du spectacle africain (MASA). The event, which opens its doors this evening with a live fresco, is the continent’s premier rendez-vous for the performing arts. In other words, it’s the « CAN » of African performing arts. If last January and February, it was Africa’s soccer and its bi-national players who were in the spotlight, today it’s the artists of Africa and its diaspora who are in the limelight. But, like the footballers, they will have to demonstrate their artistic know-how.

Over the course of eight days, 67 artistic groups, for a total of 304 artists, selected for the MASA Market, will give 133 passionate and enthusiastic performances in seven artistic disciplines: circus and puppet arts, storytelling, dance, comedy, music, slam and theater.

With the hope, since MASA is first and foremost an arts market, of catching the eye of the many buyers (tour operators, festival directors and programmers, producers) who have come from the four corners of the globe to unearth new talent and artistically accomplished shows. There’s no doubt that the stages of the Masa market will thrill festival-goers to the rhythm of the various performances.

But MASA isn’t just a market. It also has a festival dimension, which aims to sprinkle the event with a zest of fervor, with shows at the Palais de la culture and on its stages in Abobo, Koumassi, Yopougon, the Institut Français, the Goethe-Institut, and Yelam’s. It will also be an opportunity to revisit some of the CAN hits, including « Coup du marteau » by Team Paiya, « la Can c’est chez nous » by the famous duo Yodé et Siro, featuring Abomé Léléfant, and many other iconic songs. 

MASA 2024 aims to follow in the footsteps of CAN 2024. And it’s going to attract an exceptional number of spectators. With halls packed to the rafters of captivated audience members.

Finally, like the CAN, MASA 2024 aims to perpetuate legendary Ivorian hospitality, making guests feel completely at home, in complete safety, in the name of African brotherhood.

With photos by aspiring photographers in a training course organized by the MASA and led by photographer Dorris Haron Kasco.