First edition
For three days, the capital became the stage of a unique gathering where ancestral rituals, contemporary expressions and popular encounters came together.
Second edition
The second edition confirmed Porto-Novo in its role as a meeting place.
Third edition
The third edition brought together an ever-growing audience around the processions, concerts and scientific symposium, confirming the festival's place in Benin's cultural calendar. See you in 2027 for a fourth edition.
The living memory of Vodun traditions.
Porto-Novo, the capital of Benin, embodies the living memory of Vodun traditions. A museum city and a city of culture, it hosts this festival as a space of cultural reclamation and influence.
A global cultural crossroads.
The Festival of Masks brings together researchers, artists and enthusiasts from Africa, Europe, the Americas and the Caribbean.
The Festival is built around several major highlights:
The great mask procession
Sacred and secular masks parade through the streets and along the lagoon bank.
The public square performances
On the squares of Porto-Novo, masks dance and drums resound.
The scientific symposium
A space of knowledge bringing together researchers, artists and intellectuals.
The evening concerts
Two nights of music featuring the greatest Beninese artists and guests.
The village entertainment
Local crafts, Beninese cuisine, partner stands.