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.
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 Mask Festival 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.