Late-night gallery tours and the emergence of new exhibition spaces highlight Abidjan’s ambition to become a leading regional arts capital. On a recent weekday evening, over a dozen galleries and museums across the city extended their operating hours until midnight, an unusual but welcome change for art lovers who participated in a special bus tour.
This “Night of the Galleries” event was conceived to allow art enthusiasts to engage with the city’s artistic offerings after their workdays, enabling them to fully immerse themselves in Abidjan Art Week. The concept was first piloted in January 2024, coinciding with the Africa Cup of Nations football tournament, which Côte d’Ivoire hosted and ultimately won.
The tradition has continued, with the third edition of Abidjan Art Week, held from last Tuesday to Sunday, featuring this popular late-night initiative. The event underscores the city’s dynamic and expanding cultural landscape.