Bamako Encounters 2026–2027
26 November، 2026 @ 8:00 am - 26 January، 2027 @ 5:00 pm
free
the **15th edition of Bamako Encounters (Rencontres de Bamako), the African Biennale of Photography**, will take place from **November 26, 2026, to January 26, 2027**, in **Bamako, Mali**. The biennale is one of Africa’s most significant platforms for contemporary photography, bringing together photographers, artists, curators, cultural institutions, and audiences from across Africa and beyond.
The 2026 edition is presented under the theme **“Refabulation(s)”**, exploring the power of storytelling, imagination, and visual narratives in rethinking African histories and identities within a post-colonial context. Inspired by Chinua Achebe’s ideas on storytelling as a response to cultural dispossession, the exhibition examines how photography can challenge established narratives and create new ways of representing African experiences.
Curated by **Armelle Dakouo**, the biennale features **49 selected artists, including 25 women**, presenting diverse photographic practices and perspectives. The main programme will be hosted at the **National Museum of Mali** and four additional venues across Bamako, creating a city-wide platform for contemporary photography and cultural exchange.
Co-organized by the **Ministry of Culture of Mali** and the **Institut Français**, Bamako Encounters 2026 offers an important opportunity to discover emerging and established photographic voices while engaging with questions of memory, identity, history, storytelling, and cultural transformation.
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