About Moussem Cities Dakar

With the multidisciplinary festival Moussem Cities, Moussem and its Brussels partners focus on a metropolis with a rich and culturally varied history, which plays a vital role through its artistic dynamism. Moussem Cities is a platform for artists, working on universal themes, shedding light on the local artistic context and nurturing an exchange with Brussels.

Dakar, the capital of Senegal, is considered the economic, political and cultural hub of West Africa. Like many big cities in the world, Dakar is confronted with all kinds of challenges in terms of urbanism, mobility, environment... This cosmopolitan port city has a dynamic cultural scene and is home to internationally renowned artists and intellectuals. In addition to initiatives such as the Dakar Biennale, the oldest contemporary art biennale in Africa, and the more recent Musée des Civilisations noires, Dakar also has a fascinating independent and alternative art scene.

The current health crisis has exacerbated the inequality in mobility for artists from the South. Travel restrictions, which come on top of visa issues, make working internationally outside the EU's borders even more complex. As a result, not everyone we wished to invite could come to Brussels. Therefore, in addition to the events in Brussels, Moussem Cities Dakar also offers an online programme with podcasts and interviews from Dakar.

This edition was realised with the support of de Vlaamse Gemeennschap and de VGC, and in collaboration with our partners BOZAR, Blaackbox, De Markten, Kaaitheater and Nova.