August 2026: Key African Culture Events Across the Globe
In August 2026, a series of cultural celebrations highlighting African and Afro-descendant cultures will take place worldwide. The Festival International de Danse et de Tourisme de Kpalimé in Togo lasts until August 9, while Tunisia's Festival international de Hammamet continues until August 13. From August 5 to 15, the Open Doors section of the Locarno Festival showcases cinemas from 42 African nations. The Festival international La Marmite is scheduled in Lomé from August 12 to 16. The 20th Festival Cinémas d'Afrique in Lausanne will honor Togo from August 13 to 16, and the African Diaspora International Film Festival in Washington, D.C., is set for August 14 to 16. Additional festivals and exhibitions will also take place in France, Cameroon, and other locations. UNESCO has added 25 new sites to the World Heritage list.
Key facts
- UNESCO inscribed 25 new World Heritage sites, including first for Comoros, São Tomé-et-Príncipe, and South Sudan.
- Tiwani Contemporary in London presents 'Breaking Down Realities' with works by Nifemi Marcus-Bello, Hadassa Ngamba, Dawit L. Petros, and Muzae Sesay.
- 4th edition of Festival International de Danse et de Tourisme de Kpalimé in Togo runs until August 9.
- Festival international de Hammamet in Tunisia runs until August 13 with 32 performances.
- Locarno Festival's Open Doors section (August 5-15) features cinemas from 42 African countries.
- Festival international La Marmite (Fesma) in Lomé, Togo, runs August 12-16 with China as guest of honor.
- 20th Festival Cinémas d'Afrique in Lausanne (August 13-16) honors Togo with about ten films.
- ADIFF in Washington, D.C. (August 14-16) opens with 'A Better Way: James Lawson' by Karen Hayes.
- Douarnenez film festival (August 15-22) focuses on 'Les Marocs'.
- États généraux du film documentaire de Lussas (August 16-22) dedicates part of its 38th edition to African cinema.
- Festival du Film Francophone d'Angoulême (August 24-29) includes 'Ben-Imana' and 'Congo Boy' in competition.
- Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art in Lagos presents 'Tracing Forms: The Art of Making'.
- Musée des Arts d'Afrique et d'Asie de Vichy programs 'Afrique arts contemporains'.
- Wereldmuseum in Rotterdam presents 'Art She Crafted' with works by Joana Choumali, Thandiwe Muriu, and April Bey.
- LouiSimone Guirandou Gallery in Abidjan holds 8th edition of 'Découvertes' with artists Naëtt Mbaye, Chelsea Odufu, Saleh Lô, and Raé.
- Kristin Hjellegjerde in West Palm Beach presents new works by Miranda Forrester.
- Galerie Melbye-Konan in Hamburg presents 'RELATION(ES)' inspired by Édouard Glissant.
- MO.CO in Montpellier features Sara Ouhaddou's project.
- Kroskel x Barthélémy Toguo project in Cameroon connects Bandjoun Station and Krystal Palace in Douala.
- Prix Théâtre RFI preselected 13 texts from 142 plays across 11 countries.
- Prix de la photographie du Musée du quai Branly – Jacques Chirac awarded special mention to Ammar Yassir.
- Other photography laureates: Abhishek Rajaram Khedekar (India) and Sara Kontar (Syria).
Entities
Artists
- Nifemi Marcus-Bello
- Hadassa Ngamba
- Dawit L. Petros
- Muzae Sesay
- Alex Moussa Sawadogo
- Karen Hayes
- Marie-Clémentine Dusabejambo
- Rafiki Fariala
- Joana Choumali
- Thandiwe Muriu
- April Bey
- Naëtt Mbaye
- Chelsea Odufu
- Saleh Lô
- Raé
- Miranda Forrester
- Yannick Ackah
- Ngoye
- Sara Ouhaddou
- Barthélémy Toguo
- Ammar Yassir
- Abhishek Rajaram Khedekar
- Sara Kontar
- Dani Kouyaté
- Teboho Edkins
- Hassen Ferhani
- Boubacar Sangaré
- Joel M’Maka Tchedre
Institutions
- UNESCO
- Tiwani Contemporary
- Festival International de Danse et de Tourisme de Kpalimé
- Festival international de Hammamet
- Locarno Festival
- Festival international La Marmite (Fesma)
- Festival Cinémas d'Afrique
- African Diaspora International Film Festival (ADIFF)
- Douarnenez film festival
- États généraux du film documentaire de Lussas
- Festival du Film Francophone d'Angoulême
- Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art
- Musée des Arts d'Afrique et d'Asie de Vichy
- Wereldmuseum
- LouiSimone Guirandou Gallery
- Kristin Hjellegjerde
- Galerie Melbye-Konan
- MO.CO
- Bandjoun Station
- Krystal Palace
- Prix Théâtre RFI
- Musée du quai Branly – Jacques Chirac
- RFI
- George Washington University
Locations
- Paris
- France
- London
- United Kingdom
- Kpalimé
- Togo
- Hammamet
- Tunisia
- Locarno
- Switzerland
- Lomé
- Lausanne
- Washington
- United States
- Lussas
- Angoulême
- Lagos
- Nigeria
- Vichy
- Rotterdam
- Netherlands
- Abidjan
- Côte d'Ivoire
- West Palm Beach
- Hamburg
- Germany
- Montpellier
- Bandjoun
- Cameroon
- Douala
- Limoges
- Burkina Faso
- Jamaica
- Comoros
- São Tomé-et-Príncipe
- South Sudan
- Dakar
- Senegal
- Mauritania
- Belgium
- Morocco
- India
- Syria
- Mali
- Algeria