Palais de Lomé: Togo's Former Colonial Palace Reborn as Contemporary Art Hub

The Palais de Lomé, housed in the former German and French governor's palace, has become Togo's largest visual arts center after a twenty-year restoration. Director Sonia Lawson describes the institution as a laboratory for cultural development, breaking with its colonial past to present Togolese, African, and diaspora creativity. The government funded only the renovation; the center seeks private and international partnerships. Current exhibitions include 'Sans Titre,' featuring eleven young Togolese artists working in painting, sculpture, installation, drawing, and photography; 'Lomé: portraits d'une ville,' exploring the city's history and urban development; and 'Racines de l'Imaginaire,' by female duo Togo Yeye (Delali Ayivi and Malaika Nabillah), documenting Togolese youth and traditional hairstyles. Artists like Serge Anoumou address environmental issues, creating sculptures from waste to highlight marine conservation. The center's eleven-hectare botanical park combines art, heritage, and biodiversity, offering guided tours and educational activities. The Palais has collaborated with Zeitz Mooca (South Africa), ZKM (Germany), Arttable Netherlands, and Macaal (Morocco).