1. Initiatives
  2. Canada in Abidjan

In carrying out a project funded by the Canada Council, you must comply with health and travel measures in the jurisdiction where the funded activities take place. You must also follow all public health and travel measures, laws, and regulations issued by relevant government authorities.

Canada Takes Centre Stage at MASA

As guest country at the Marché des Arts du Spectacle d’Abidjan (Abidjan Performing Arts Market) in 2020, Canada will present theatre, dance, storytelling, music, puppetry, street arts, and poetry on the stages and streets of Ivory Coast’s largest city.

Canada’s invitation to MASA is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate pluralism, diversity of cultural expression, and the ties between Africa and its diaspora. It is also a remarkable opportunity to develop renewed artistic dialogue between Canada and West Africa and across the continent.

Canada in Abidjan

In 2020, Canada is the guest country at the Marché des Arts du Spectacle d’Abidjan (MASA) / Abidjan Performing Arts Market in Ivory Coast. MASA is Africa’s largest performing arts market. Taking place every two years, it brings together artists and arts professionals from Africa and elsewhere in the world. From March 7 to 14, MASA is showcasing Canada’s vibrant and diverse arts sector on the stages and streets of Abidjan.

The Canada Council for the Arts is proud to fund and coordinate Canada’s participation as guest country for MASA 2020 in collaboration with its partners, Global Affairs Canada, the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec, the Québec Government Office in Abidjan and Canadian Heritage.

With its international commitment, the Council is raising the profile of Canadian artists and arts organizations, making sure they have the opportunity to share the best of the arts created in Canada with global audiences. 

At a glance: Canada’s presence at the MASA 2020

MASA attendees will enjoy a wide range of diverse Canadian artists and artistic disciplines. From March 7 to 14, 15 groups and artists handpicked by MASA’s selection committees will be presenting their work on the stages and streets of Abidjan. The following are part of MASA 2020 official programming:

Benoît Davidson (storytelling)

Bonjay (theatre)

Collectif Pi, L’Histoire de Pi (theatre)

Ilam, NÉNÉ (music)

Joujou Turenne, Joujou Turenne raconte Mandela (storytelling)

Kando (graffiti)

Magdala (music)

Maliciouz (graffiti)

Théâtre Catapulte, Manman la mer (theatre)

Théâtre Cercle Molière, L’Armoire (theatre)

Théâtre Motus (theatre)

The Shuffle Demons (music)

Umuruta, When Rwanda Meets Brazil (music)

Wesli, RAPADOU KREYOL (music)

Zab Maboungou / Compagnie Danse Nyata Nyata (dance)

 

Canada’s presence at MASA will be supported by a series of activities throughout the week. Organized with and by our partners, the activities will further raise the profile of Canadian arts and culture at MASA.

Planned activities include creative installations by the ATSA and Mique Michelle at the Canada Kiosk, a conference and workshop held by Marie-Eve Huot and a conversation about art institutions and decolonization between Canada Council for the Arts CEO Simon Brault and MASA Director General Professor Yacouba Konaté.

Three delegations of Canadian arts professionals are being supported by Canadian Heritage, CINARS and the Canada Council for the Arts. In addition, market development opportunities are being created through strategic networking events such as meetings between arts organizations, jam sessions between Canadian and African artists and a special festive event hosted by the Canadian Embassy in Ivory Coast. 

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