MASA 2026 Returns to Abidjan as Africa’s Premier Performing Arts Market
The Marché des Arts du Spectacle Africain (MASA) re‑established its position as the continent’s largest performing arts gathering when the 2026 edition took over Abidjan’s Palace of Culture and spilled into several neighbourhoods from 10 to 24 October. Organisers reported more than 300 shows ranging from storytelling and contemporary dance to music, theatre and street art, attracting audiences of all ages and backgrounds.
A Vibrant Programme Across the City
MASA’s programming deliberately mixes established forms with experimental work, reflecting the festival’s mission to showcase both heritage and innovation. Highlights included:
- Contemporary dance pieces that blended traditional Ivorian movements with urban styles.
- Music concerts featuring coupé‑décalé, afro‑beat and live orchestral arrangements.
- Theatre productions that addressed social themes such as migration, identity and youth empowerment.
- Street‑art installations and performances that transformed public squares into open‑air galleries.
According to the MASA secretariat, the 2026 edition recorded an estimated 150 000 attendees over the two‑week period, confirming its role as a key cultural driver for the Ivorian economy.
Spotlight: “On descn à la Rue Princesse”
One of the most talked‑about works was the theatre piece “On descn à la Rue Princesse” created by Ivorian choreographer Massidi Adiatou and performed by his company New Black. The piece pays homage to the legendary Rue Princesse, a bustling thoroughfare in the Yopougon district that was a hotspot for music, dance and nightlife until its demolition in 2012.
Adiatou, who began his career as a street dancer on that very avenue, explained the motivation behind the work:
“In this street there is a source that has allowed Ivorian culture to reach the whole world. It has created beautiful things and I don’t want it to stop.”
The production featured approximately 20 dancers, extravagant carnival‑inspired costumes and a lighting design that evoked the neon‑lit atmosphere of the original Rue Princesse. Accompanied by a live band that fused coupé‑décalé rhythms with electronic textures, the show lasted 90 minutes and was described by spectators as an “explosion of energy.”
Voices from the Cast and Audience
Junior Frisson – whose birth name is Kouassi Koffi – took on the role of the street’s legendary seducer. He noted:
“Rue Princesse has a great atmosphere – it’s all about fulfillment and entertainment. And here in the show we portray Rue Princesse, but with a futuristic twist. We might imagine what Rue Princesse will look like in 2030.”
Karel Tendjou, who played a charismatic waitress, emphasized the continuity of coupé‑décalé:
“It’s pure coupé‑décalé. It’s a dance meant to bring joy. We share our energy, we share our joy.”
Audience member Bayange Prince summed up the experience:
“Words can’t do it justice. I felt like they managed to combine classical music with coupé‑décalé and create something I’ve never seen before.”
Looking Ahead: MASA 2028
Festival organizers announced that the next edition of MASA will be held in 2028, again in Abidjan. Preparations are already underway to expand the programme to include more digital‑arts showcases and to strengthen partnerships with regional cultural ministries and UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage programme, which recognized coupé‑décalé as a living expression of Ivorian creativity in 2021.
By maintaining a balance between reverence for historic spaces like Rue Princesse and forward‑looking artistic experimentation, MASA continues to serve as a vital platform for African performing artists and a trusted source of cultural insight for audiences worldwide.
