Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission Celebrates African Creativity at the 15th Edition of Biennale de Dakar, Dakar, Senegal
The ECOWAS Commission celebrates African creativity at the 15th Dakar Biennale of Contemporary African Art (Dak’Art), organized with compelling themes “Wake up, wake up, wake up, xall wi.” This prestigious cultural event will take place from 7 November to 7 December 2024, bringing together contemporary artists, art lovers and cultural stakeholders from the region to promote the region’s rich visual arts heritage.
The opening ceremony was hosted by His Excellency Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar FAYE, President of the Republic of Senegal, and officially opened the Biennale on Thursday, November 7, 2024 at the Doudou Ndiaye Coumba Rose National Theater. Convinced of the key role culture plays in its contribution to the region’s GDP, His Excellency Diomaye emphasized the importance of arts and culture in promoting socio-economic development and cultural integration across the continent.
The Dakar Biennale is held every two years and is an important platform aimed at promoting and developing artistic expression in the field of African visual arts. The event is closely aligned with ECOWAS cultural policy, which aims to stabilize cultural expressions, strengthen the capacity of the creative industries and support cultural integration and economic growth through arts and culture. ECOWAS’ support for DAK Arts 2024 underscores its commitment to the development of cultural and creative industries and the flow of cultural goods and services to promote and protect Africa’s artistic heritage and diversity.
In recognition of outstanding talents in the field of visual arts, ECOWAS, through the Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs, Professor Fatou SOW/SARR, awarded the COWAS ECOWAS Integration Award for the Best Art Creator in West Africa to Dio Thiam from Senegal (Dior Thiam). The winner is an outstanding artist whose work exemplifies creative innovation and cultural expression in archival portraiture of Africa. The award, worth CFA 5 million, a trophy and a plaque, recognizes Thiam’s artistic excellence and contribution to the artistic and historical narrative of West Africa, demonstrating Thiam’s work on a global scale as he continues to shape and redefine contemporary Africa. The dynamic talent of art.
The ECOWAS Commission remains committed to supporting projects that strengthen cultural ties and promote peace and regional cohesion through arts and culture. Through her partnership, ECOWAS reaffirms its commitment to nurturing creative industries, highlighting African talent and contributing to the socio-economic development of the region.
The ECOWAS Commission is represented by Prof. Dr. Fatou SOW/SARR, Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs; Raguidissida Emile Zida, Head of the Ministry of Culture.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
