From 22 September to 17 October 2026, Fnac Saint-Lazare in Paris will host an extensive programme dedicated to Benin. The month-long series of exhibitions, talks, debates, film screenings and concerts is designed to spark a dialogue between history, memory, spirituality and contemporary creation. But beyond the public-facing events, the initiative reveals deeper dynamics at play in the cultural relationship between Benin and France. Organised with the support of the Embassy of the Republic of Benin in France for several of the announced events, the programme will occupy the meeting forum on the store’s third floor.
A month-long focus on Benin at Fnac Saint-Lazare
For nearly four weeks, Paris will be immersed in Beninese culture. The Fnac Saint-Lazare programme goes far beyond a folkloric presentation. It explores multiple facets of the West African nation: its spiritual traditions, its past linked to the Kingdom of Dahomey and the transatlantic slave trade, questions of cultural restitution, as well as contemporary artistic creation, literature, gastronomy and modern music.
Eustache Ahomagnon’s exhibition: memory and spirituality through images
The opening event on 22 September is the photographic exhibition “Ayérayé: Éternel”, featuring the work of Beninese photographer and designer Eustache Ahomagnon. Running until 17 October, the display sits at the crossroads of photography and textile creation. Ahomagnon explores memory, spirituality and contemporary creation through the world of the Egungun, figures associated with ancestor worship among the Yoruba. His images engage with textile pieces inspired by the forms, materials and movements linked to these traditions. The exhibition sets the tone for the entire programme: showcasing a Benin that is both deeply rooted in its heritage and resolutely forward-looking in its creative expression.
Talks on spirituality, tradition and Beninese heritage
On 24 September, a discussion will bring together Saskia Cousin Kouton, professor of sociology and author, journalist Delphine Bousquet Hazoumè and researcher Richard J.V. Sogan. They will exchange views on spirituality, traditions and several works dedicated to Beninese heritage.
The following day, chef Georgiana Viou will share her personal journey and present her book “Oui cheffe! Du Bénin à l’étoile Michelin. Itinéraire d’une battante”. Born in Benin, Viou also highlights gastronomy as a space for cultural transmission: Beninese products and flavours continue to shape her work, even within a cuisine built on multiple influences.
Music takes over on 26 September with a showcase by Beninese artist Joe Kingston, who will present his “Afro futur vibes” universe, blending hip-hop with contemporary African influences. The next day, poet and slam artist Sergent Markus will present his album “Vodun Gospel”, a project steeped in musical references drawn from Vodun culture.
From Dahomey to restitution: confronting difficult histories
The programme also addresses some of the most sensitive chapters of Beninese history. On 1 October, a talk will focus on Dahomey and the history of slavery. Writer and journalist Vincent Hugeux will speak with Frédéric Ravatin, engineer and scientific scenographer, about the work surrounding the “Bateau de la Mémoire” in Ouidah, a memorial installation dedicated to the slave trade.
The following day, the restitution of cultural property between France and Benin will take centre stage. Ambassador Angelo Dan, Romain Da Costa and heritage curator Kolawodé Daniel Abidjo will discuss a historic process that has profoundly shaped cultural relations between the two countries. These choices give the event a particularly strong historical and memorial dimension. It is no longer just about presenting works or artists, but about questioning how a nation tells its past, preserves its heritage and builds its relationship with the world.
Film as a bridge between past and present
On 4 October, the focus shifts to cinema with a screening of “Retour à Ouidah 1993. Les Revenants”, a documentary by Charles Najman about the return to Ouidah, a city closely tied to the history of Vodun and the African diaspora born of the slave trade. The screening will be followed by a discussion with journalist, producer and programmer Emmanuelle Honorin. Through this film, made in the context of the Ouidah 92 Festival, the programme creates a dialogue between images of the past and contemporary questions about memory, identity and the ties between Benin and its diaspora.
Contemporary creation takes the stage
Current artistic production is not overlooked. On 30 September, a carte blanche will be given to director, co-producer and cinematographer Mr DYRECK. His work, developed between Benin and France, reflects a new generation of artists using images to tell West Africa’s stories differently.
On 10 October, music takes on a new dimension with singer and jazz artist Mina Agossi, who will present her album “Dynamic. Tribute to Dinah Washington”.
Finally, on 17 October, the programme closes with a showcase by the group Teriba, described as Benin’s first all-female music group. Founded in 2002, the collective is known for its a cappella singing and its commitment to promoting Beninese cultural heritage.
Paris as a crossroads for Beninese cultures
Through this series of events, Fnac Saint-Lazare transforms its Parisian space into a genuine showcase for Benin over nearly four weeks. From photography to gastronomy, from slam to jazz, from cinema to history, the programme paints a multifaceted portrait of a country whose heritage continues to fuel contemporary creation. It also reminds us that Beninese culture is not a static legacy. It is passed on, reinvented and debated. Between Vodun traditions, the memory of Dahomey, the history of the slave trade, debates on the restitution of works and new artistic expressions, a whole narrative of Benin is invited into the heart of Paris.
All announced events are free and open to the public, subject to availability. Fnac Saint-Lazare invites curious minds, enthusiasts of African culture, members of the Beninese diaspora and, more broadly, anyone wishing to discover or rediscover a country whose history and creativity hold a unique place in cultural exchanges between Africa and France.
