FestivalsDakar

Dakar Biennale (Dak'Art)

Dak'Art

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Conceived in 1989 and first held in 1990, it is Africa's longest-running major contemporary art biennale. The 16th edition runs from 19 November to 19 December 2026, with artistic director Morad Montazami and the theme '(Anti)fragilité', the art of repair.

Since Senegal's first president, the poet Senghor, the country has treated culture as central to national identity, and the biennale continues that line.

CE QUE VOUS VERREZ · What you will see

Dakar in November and December: exhibitions everywhere at once, in the old Palais de Justice, the Museum of Black Civilisations and venues large and small across the city, divided into the official IN and the independent OFF.

POURQUOI · So what

It is the most important gathering of Africa's art world, and the confidence behind the line 'Dakar has the taste'.

SAVOIR-FAIRE · How to use it

Knowing the difference between IN and OFF, and that the 2024 edition was postponed by six months because of politics, marks you as an insider.

Asian and European parallelsAfrica's Venice Biennale; this year Dak'Art opens three days before the Venice Biennale closes.

Where to experience itDakar: Museum of Black Civilisations, the old Palais de Justice, the IFAN museum and more.

On these routes

Two Days at the Dakar Biennale