Abidjan is once again at the heart of Africa’s performing arts scene as the 2026 edition of the Market for Performing Arts in Africa (MASA) returns in full force, drawing massive crowds to the Ivorian capital.
Held at the Culture Palace and across several districts, this year’s festival has brought together hundreds of performances spanning storytelling, contemporary dance, music, and street art. Audiences of all ages have turned out in large numbers, reaffirming MASA’s status as the continent’s largest performing arts market.
Among the standout productions is “On descend à la Rue Princesse,” a captivating piece by renowned Ivorian choreographer Massidi Adiatou. The show has generated significant buzz for its bold tribute to Rue Princesse, a once-thriving epicenter of Abidjan’s nightlife and urban culture that disappeared in 2012.
Adiatou, who began his career as a street dancer in the lively Yopougon district, describes the street as a powerful cultural force.
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“There is a source in this street that has allowed Ivorian culture to embrace the whole world,” he said. “It has brought about beautiful things and I don’t want it to stop.”
The performance features around 20 dancers delivering an intense, hour-and-a-half spectacle marked by explosive energy, dazzling carnival costumes, and immersive staging. Through vibrant choreography and storytelling, the production reimagines Rue Princesse with a futuristic lens, projecting what it might look like in 2030.
One of the performers, Junior Frisson (real name Kouassi Koffi), embodies the charismatic spirit of the street’s legendary charmers.
“Rue Princesse has a great vibe — it’s all about fulfilment and entertainment,” he said. “In the show, we’re portraying it with a futuristic twist.”
Set within a stylized bar created by Adiatou’s company, New Black, the production recreates the electric atmosphere of the iconic street. With dynamic lighting, hypnotic music, and acrobatic displays, the show immerses audiences in a near-trance experience.
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Performer Karel Tendjou, who plays a waitress in the production, highlighted the importance of coupé-décalé, the high-energy dance genre central to the show.
“It’s pure coupé-décalé. It’s a dance designed to bring joy. We share our energy; we share our joy,” she said.
Audience members have responded enthusiastically.
“Words can’t do it justice,” said attendee Bayange Prince. “They’ve managed to blend classical music with coupé-décalé to create something I’ve never seen before.”
MASA 2026 continues to showcase the diversity and dynamism of African performing arts, with events running throughout Abidjan until the weekend. Organisers have already confirmed that the next edition of the festival will take place in 2028, promising another celebration of creativity and cultural expression on the continent.
