The 15th edition of the Bamako Encounters will take place from November 26, 2026, to January 26, 2027, in the Malian capital.
Ahead of this major event dedicated to contemporary African photography, the General Curator Armelle Dakouo was received this week in Bamako by Mali’s Minister of Culture, Mamou Daffé.
She was accompanied by the Director General of the African House of Photography, Tidiane Sangaré, as well as the Biennale’s General Delegate, El Hadj Amadou Diop.
The meeting aimed to officially introduce the new General Curator, appointed following a call for applications, and to review preparations for the official launch of the Biennale, scheduled for May 14, 2026, at the African House of Photography.
Under the theme “REFABULATION(S)”, this 15th edition seeks to highlight the perspectives and imaginations of photographers, videographers, visual artists, and performers from Africa, the diaspora, and Afro-descendant communities.
The open call will select the artists who will take part in this major cultural event. Organizers announced that results will be revealed before the official opening to facilitate exhibition planning and artistic programming.
Created in 1994, the Bamako Encounters have become a leading reference in African photography and contemporary visual arts. Each edition brings together artists, curators, researchers, cultural professionals, and image enthusiasts from around the world.
Supported by Malian authorities and coordinated by the African House of Photography, the Biennale also contributes to Mali’s cultural, tourism, and artistic influence on the international stage.
