Title: Cotonou, the city that vibrates to the rhythm of street art
Introduction :
In a world where art and creativity are becoming more and more important, the city of Cotonou, in Benin, stands out by becoming a real haven for street art lovers. With its project to transform the walls of the city into veritable open-air galleries, Cotonou stands out as an essential destination for lovers of urban art. Discover in this article the history of this artistic revolution and how it contributes to enhance Beninese culture and identity.
The Graff Effect festival and the transformation of the walls of Cotonou:
It all started in 2013 with the Effet graff festival, which kicked off the street art revolution in Cotonou. This festival has transformed the old, faded walls of the railroad fence into real colorful works of art for almost a kilometer. Ten years later, the initiator of the festival, Laurenson Djihouéssi, decided to aim even higher by targeting this time the fence of the port of Cotonou, to create the longest mural in the world over four linear kilometers.
Artists from all over the world alongside Beninese talents:
This ambitious project brought together around thirty Beninese and international artists, who collaborated to create this huge open-air gallery. Among them, the famous Brazilian artist Eduardo Kobra, icon of monumental frescoes, made his contribution with a work on living together between religions and communities. Beninese artists have also highlighted the culture, traditions and mysteries of their country through spectacular frescoes.
An indisputable success:
Since its creation, this mural of the port of Cotonou has continued to attract a large number of visitors from all walks of life. Passers-by, amazed by the talent of the artists, stop to admire the works and take photos. This initiative was also welcomed by the inhabitants of Cotonou, who see in it an enhancement of their city and their cultural identity. The success of this project even prompted the initiators to consider transforming other walls in Benin into open-air museums.
Conclusion :
Street art flourishes in Cotonou, offering locals and visitors a true artistic journey through the streets of the city. This artistic revolution contributes not only to embellishing the urban environment, but also to promoting Beninese culture and identity. By transforming the walls into real art galleries, Cotonou proves that urban art can transcend borders and create a strong link between communities