Two days of cultural immersion.

Scientific symposium · Day 1

International scientific symposium on the theme “Masks, Vodun: heritage and modernity”, at the École du Patrimoine Africain (EPA), Porto-Novo.

Public square performances

Sacred mask outings and performances across five emblematic squares of Porto-Novo. A charismatic guide and a stage manager on each square — an educational, immersive and spectacular experience.

• Lokossa SquareZangbéto10:00–18:00 · convent rotation
• Migan SquareEgungun10:00–18:00 · convent rotation
• Abessan SquareGèlèdè & Gounouko10:00–18:00 · 1h alternation
• Dangbé Klunon Honto SquareChinese masks10:00–11:00 · 13:00–14:00 · 16:00–17:00
• Ivorian masks11:00–12:00 · 14:00–15:00 · 17:00–18:00
• Nigerian masks12:00–13:00 · 15:00–16:00
• Houngbo SquareHounvè (Atchinan)10:00–18:00 · convent rotation

Festival Village

A secular mask show every hour, keeping the village alive all day. All day long: children’s mask workshops (colouring, face painting, mask making), wood-carving demonstrations, bead jewellery making and an introduction to traditional rhythms.

• KaletaLive performance10:00–10:15 · 15:00–15:15
• Adé-ObaLive performance11:00–11:15 · 16:00–16:15
• PythonLive performance12:00–12:15 · 17:00–17:15
• Surprise masksLive performance13:00–13:15 · 14:00–14:15 · 18:00–18:15
• Closing mixLive performance19:00–19:30

Scientific symposium · Day 2

International scientific symposium on the theme “Masks, Vodun: heritage and modernity”, at the École du Patrimoine Africain (EPA), Porto-Novo.

Public square performances

Sacred mask outings and performances across five squares of Porto-Novo. From 15:30, all square performances converge towards the Great Mask Procession on the lagoon boulevard.

• Lokossa SquareZangbéto10:00–15:30 · convent rotation
• Migan SquareEgungun10:00–15:30 · convent rotation
• Abessan SquareGèlèdè & Gounouko10:00–15:30 · 1h alternation
• Dangbé Klunon Honto SquareChinese masks10:00–11:00 · 13:00–14:00
• Ivorian masks11:00–12:00 · 14:00–15:00
• Nigerian masks12:00–13:00 · 15:00–15:30
• Houngbo SquareHounvè (Atchinan)10:00–15:30 · convent rotation

Festival Village

A secular mask show every hour. All day long: children’s mask workshops (colouring, face painting, mask making), wood-carving demonstrations, bead jewellery making and an introduction to traditional rhythms.

• KaletaLive performance10:00–10:15 · 15:00–15:15
• Adé-ObaLive performance11:00–11:15
• PythonLive performance12:00–12:15
• Surprise masksLive performance13:00–13:15
• GuèlèdèLive performance14:00–14:15

Tradi-modern concert

A live concert blending Beninese traditions and modern sounds — a bridge between cultural heritage and musical modernity. From 20:00 to 01:00. Expected artists: