Festivals and cultural events Senegal

Every year since 1994, the village of Abéné has celebrated the New Year with a lively and colorful festival. People come from all over the world, from Senegal to Gambia, from Europe to America, to enjoy a program rich in music, dance, song and theater. For ten days, several ethnic groups take turns with equally astonishing performances, providing a fine overview of African cultures. A wonderful event to mark the end-of-year festivities with joy, good humor and the discovery of African arts!

The International Folklore and Percussion Festival reflects the country's diverse cultural expressions. Several groups from the regions of Senegal, but also from Guinea, Mali, Benin, Gambia and European countries perform there every year. During the event there are excursions to the mausoleum of Lat Dior Diop, the damel (King of Cayor); to the village of the icon of Wolof folk wisdom, Kocc Barma; or to the weekly market of Keur Momar Sarr.

The aim of this festival is to promote the calabash, an important material in African heritage. The event brings together artists, craftsmen and local people who all use the calabash in their activities. For the organizers, the calabash is an important resource for the development of the region. Experts, researchers and intellectuals are on hand to take part in the debate. The program includes exhibitions, parades, concerts and conferences.

The first grandiose edition was held in Senegal in 1966 on the initiative of President Léopold Sédar Senghor. The second, less significant than the first, was held in Nigeria in 1977 under President Olusegun Obasanjo's first regime. The Fesman No. 3 took place at the end of 2010, after several postponements. Its cost has done - and still does - a lot of ink.