A holiday vibe…
It’s not the holidays for everyone just yet, and yet… July slowly brings with it the soft, sunny spirit of summer. The atmosphere begins to loosen, and the desire to unwind grows stronger. In short, the holiday effect is in full swing.
For children, it’s obvious ! No more backpacks, early mornings or homework. It’s time for lazy mornings, endless games and freedom being rediscovered. For those still at work, the city takes on a different rhythm : Abidjan becomes calmer, traffic jams less brutal, and lunch breaks longer. Mentally, we’re already halfway gone… in “almost-off” mode. As for the lucky ones already on vacation, we hope they’re soaking in every second of their well-deserved rest.
While everyone waits for their own escape moment, BAAB has cooked up a tailor-made issue: world apéritifs to try, places to go out, dance, explore and escape, whether in the city or off to Man for a breath of fresh nature. Exhibitions to see, festivals to enjoy, activities to keep the kids busy all day… it’s all here ! So whether you’re already on vacation or still dreaming about it-dive in, get moving, and let July do the rest.
Wishing everyone a beautiful summer with BAAB ! JULY 2025 #124
Managing Director and Publisher : Alice Andrieux
Editor-in-Chief : A. Kouadio
Editorial Secretary General : Gobou Y. F.
Editorial Manager : Anne-Claire Lecouls
Digital and Partnerships Manager : Sylvain Andrieux
Graphic Design Department Manager : Koimé N’Goran A.
Printing : Graphicolor
CHEERS, SALUD, SANTÉ, SAHA, SAÚDE ! AROUND
THE WORLD… ONE APÉRO AT A TIME
Cocktails, snacks and summer vibes: taste the world !
Holiday vibe or not, July–August is the perfect season for the apéro ! Long evenings shared with friends, sipping and snacking, talking or remaking the world… And what if, this year, you added a little twist ?
An invitation to travel—without moving— just by choosing the right bites and an exotic cocktail. France, Spain, Italy, Mexico, Lebanon, the Caribbean… flavors from across the globe join your apéro, turning each evening into a festive, flavorful escape. So, gather your crew, let your taste buds take flight, and above all… enjoy the night !
LE FRENCH APÉRO
The ultimate social ritual, the French apéro is sacred ! Tapenade, cheese & charcuterie boards, olives, good bread and maybe a chilled rosé or a kir to go with it.
ITALIAN APERITIVO
A symbol of the dolce vita, Italian aperitivo is all about togetherness. Grab a Spritz, nibble on bruschette, fritto misto, marinated olives and chat till late.
Where to go :
Mamma Mia (Zone 4, 05 54 54 54 50)
Nonnos by El Padrino (Plateau, 07 16 16 16 16)
Where to go :
Au Bar et Vous (Zone 4, 07 07 17 92 01)
La route des Vins (Zone 4, 07 59 53 44 98)
@La Route des Vins
@Nonnos by El Padrino
@Mamma Mia
@Le Bar et Vous
BAABINES
LEBANESE MEZZE & HOSPITALITY
Houmous, labneh, moutabal, falafels, kibbeh, fatayer… Lebanese apéro is a colorful, generous feast. Sip some arak or a rose/ floral cocktail and feel transported.
Where to go :
Le Méchoui (Zone 4, 27 21 24 68 93)
Em Sherif Café (Zone 4, 07 00 09 00 00)
SPANISH HOUR
In Spain, apéro is an all-night affair. The stars ? Tapas like tortilla, patatas bravas, jamón ibérico, pan con tomate… all best enjoyed with a glass of sangria.
Where to go :
Tapas y mas (Zone 4, 07 68 39 57 85)
@Le Méchoui
BAABINES
MEXICAN FIESTA
Under the Mexican sun, apéro feels like a popular street party: guac, cheesy nachos, shrimp ceviche, mini tacos… and a frozen Margarita or smoky mezcal with chili salt.
Where to go :
Cantina Mexicana (Zone 4, 07 07 72 21 21), Tulum (Zone 4, 05 64 41 79 79)
Casa Baobab (Zone 4, 27 21 71 03 60)
HAVANA NIGHTS
Welcome to Cuba : mojitos, daiquiris, plantain chips, codfish fritters or empanadas, an island getaway full of mint, lime and rum aromas.
Where to go :
KÜBA BAR (Zone 4, 07 69 22 25 55)
Madame Antika (Cocody, 07 88 22 05 43)
@Casa Baobab
@Küba Bar
CARIBBEAN RHUM’TIME
In the Caribbean, apéro means ti’punch, coconut punch, spiced rum or fruit punch. Pair it with mini bokits, Creole sausage, or spicy fritters for a real flavor explosion.
Where to go : La Capsule 972 (Cocody, 01 01 16 93 97) Mama Doble (Zone 4, 07 59 45 60 05)
@Mama Doble
@Capsule 972
COFFEE TO GO THE NEW FOOD TREND
Once reserved for quiet terraces or luxury hotel lounges, coffee today is enjoyed differently. It has become the ideal companion for our fast-paced, connected lives. Now nomadic, it accompanies us through commutes, meetings, and city strolls. In Abidjan, as in many global cities, the coffeeto-go trend is gaining serious momentum, boosted by the rise of high-quality coffee shops all over town. From local beans to specialty blends, single-origin coffees, classic brews to bold new creations, coffee lovers have a world of flavors at their fingertips.
BAAB got its caffeine fix and tried out some of the best coffee spots in Babi. Here are our picks :
We tried :
• The hazelnut latte with almond milk and the vanilla latte with coconut milk at Cafemisu ( @cafemisuu)
• Single-origin coffees (from Man, Guinea, Mexico, Uganda, and even Jamaica’s famous Blue Mountain), iced coffee, and mocha frappuccino at Caffe del Mondo ( @caffedelmondo.ci)
• African origin filter coffee, caramel frappé, and flat white at Café Continent ( @cafecontinent)
• Maple latte, white mocha, and Icepresso at Second Cup ( @secondcup.ci)
• Americano, caramel macchiato, and Irish latte at Kaffeine ( Kaffeine Abidjan)
• Single-origin coffees (Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Côte d’Ivoire…), and cappuccino at Karibu Coffee ( @karibucoffee_official)
Sipping an espresso on the move, enjoying an iced latte between meetings, posting your flat white on Instagram… Coffee is no longer just a morning pick-me-up, it’s a full-on lifestyle ! >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
EVENINGS OF THE MONTH
It’s well known that Abidjan’s nightlife is always rich and lively. Afterworks, concerts, karaoke or parties... every week has its own events and parties. To make sure you don’t miss out on the best of Babi by night, here’s our “little diary” of weekly events. Enjoy it all night long !
Every Wednesday Karaoké
O’fraicheur Club
Angré CHU
07 11 09 38 10
Every Friday Red Friday
Le Before Plateau 07 79 29 99 73
Every Thursday Je dis… Juicy
Silencio Zone 4 07 13 72 20 07
Every Friday Reggae live
Vog’s Cabana Zone 4 05 56 70 93 67
Every Thursday Canta con tapas
Tapas y Mas Zone 4 07 68 39 57 85
Every Saturday Street Legacy
The Soul Angré 8ème tranche 07 08 89 44 16
COCKTAILS AND WINE !
YOUR SUMMER SIP & CHILL DATES
Want to enjoy a good drink in a relaxed and stylish atmosphere ? This summer in Abidjan, two must-try experiences await : Vino Vibes and Shake & Sip, the perfect events to chill, sip, and discover !
Grab a glass and enjoy
VINO VIBES
A new unmissable afterwork event for young professionals, wine lovers, and curious epicureans in Abidjan. Every Wednesday in July, Vino Vibes brings together a vibrant community around an irresistible combo: quality wines, cheese and charcuterie boards, and a chill, jazzy, and friendly ambiance — with DJs or live piano performances.
Designed to break down wine world stereotypes, Vino Vibes is all about discovery and enjoyment. No need to be
an expert : you taste, share, appreciate, and savor. Each month, a curated selection of five wines (two whites, two reds, one rosé) is offered to awaken your palate and introduce you to oenology in a simple and accessible way.
Far from snobbery, the experience is open, sensory, and social : the perfect place to unwind, network, or just enjoy a great time with friends… all at friendly prices.
VINO VIBES
Every Wednesday in July
La Cave de Jonas by Sodirep (2 Plateaux or Zone 4)
Price : 5,000 FCFA per glass
Registration : linktr.ee/vinovibesabj
SHAKE & SIP
The art of cocktails, chill and chic edition
Who doesn’t love sipping a perfectly chilled and balanced cocktail, with that little twist that makes all the difference ? Today, cocktails are no longer just for trendy bars. In fact, making them yourself is even more satisfying ! That’s where Shake & Sip comes in : a friendly masterclass where you learn to create and savor delicious cocktails with passion and ease. 100% approved !
Every Friday evening at La Cave de Jonas by Sodirep, Shake & Sip transforms enthusiasts into real shaker artists. Over two hours, guided by renowned mixologist Alexander Quest, you’ll uncover the secrets to great cocktails, make three original recipes inspired by local ingredients, and, of course, enjoy your creations in a relaxed, stylish, and down-to-earth vibe.
The goal ? Demystify the art of mixology and prove that with just a few fridge staples (a twist of lemon, homemade syrup, quality rum or aromatic gin), you can make something beautiful, delicious, and impressive. It’s also Alexander Quest’s way, having trained over 750 bartenders in Côte d’Ivoire, of passing on his passion directly to consumers — so they too can shine at home without breaking the bank. A must-try experience !
SHAKE & SIP
Every Friday in July & August
Every Friday in July & August
From 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
La Cave de Jonas by Sodirep (2 Plateaux & Zone 4)
Price : 20,000 FCFA solo / 35,000 FCFA duo
Tickets : www.lehub.online
Shake & Sip, c’est une expérience immersive et ludique. Alors, prêt à shaker ? >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
FESTI AMAPIANO CI
THE 3RD EDITION IS COMING !
Whether you’re vibing to Amapiano’s deep crackling basslines, grooving to Afrobeat rhythms, or simply in it for the fashion, dance, and high energy, Festi Amapiano CI is made for you !
This August 2nd, Festi Amapiano CI returns for its electrifying third edition! More than just a music event, this vibrant afro-urban festival celebrates the sounds that make Africa dance : Amapiano, born in the South African townships, and its fiery blends with Afrobeat, Afro-house, and Coupé-Décalé.
Since its debut in 2023, the festival has been gaining serious momentum. From 200 attendees in 2023 to 480 in 2024, the 2025 edition is set to scale up with a pan-African lineup and immersive performances that fuse music, dance, style, and visual art. Expect a spotlight on talent from South Africa, the birthplace of Amapiano; Nigeria, the Afrobeat powerhouse; Ghana, land of alternative vibes; and of course, Côte d’Ivoire, the epicenter of showmanship.
What’s on the lineup ? DJ sets, live performances, Amapiano dance battles, immersive urban visuals, interactive stands, brand activations, food courts, a lifestyle zone… In short, style, energy, surprises and vibes that bring people together.
August 2nd, 8:00 PM, Espace Berakah
Billetterie : www.lehub.online
Every detail is designed to offer a deep dive into contemporary Afrourban culture. Ready to experience it ? Grab your tickets, they’re going fast !
MUSIC ROUND-UP
4 CONCERTS YOU CAN’T MISS !
Ready to groove to the sound of live music? This month, Abidjan is turning up the heat with unmissable live shows. Mark your calendars!
Suspect 95
July 12, 2025 – Parc des Expositions 07 08 88 93 88
Héritier Wata
August 1, 2025 at 4pm – Sofitel Abidjan Hôtel Ivoire, 01 02 02 23 06
Døpelym
July 19, 2025 – Palais de la Culture 07 78 29 48 88
Soum Bill
August 2, 2025 at 3pm – Parc des Expositions 07 05 11 63 25
ZOUGLOU
NEW FLOW, BANLIEUE 42
THE NEW WAVE OF IVORIAN URBAN MUSIC
On Saturday, July 12, 2025, don’t miss New Flow, Banlieue 42 at La Fabrique Culturelle, an explosive evening led by Meya, a rising star in Côte d’Ivoire’s rap-RnB scene, alongside emerging talents from Abidjan’s suburbs. A tribute to creative neighborhoods and a celebration of urban youth.
Organized by D&T Événements, New Flow, Banlieue 42 isn’t just a concert. It’s an artistic concept spotlighting the new generation of Ivorian rap, RnB, afro, and trap artists, while honoring the suburbs as vibrant cultural hubs. Hosted at La Fabrique Culturelle, the event is designed as a powerful and festive moment for a youth hungry for sound, meaning, and live scenes.
Leading the night, Meya from 2 Plateaux embodies this new wave. With just two singles and a breakout showcase, he’s already made a name for himself. New Flow, Banlieue 42 pays tribute to his roots and all the neighborhoods where creativity thrives. Line-up includes : Wizza, Baidai, MC Gadagada, Le Condiment, Mendoza… a thrilling mix that channels the true energy of the streets.
Line-up includes
Wizza, Baidai, MC Gadagada, Le Condiment, Mendoza… a thrilling mix that channels the true energy of the streets.
NEW FLOW BANLIEUE 42
July 12, 2025, from 7 PM
La Fabrique Culturelle, 2 Plateaux
Tickets : 3,500 FCFA / VIP : 5,000 FCFA
Tickets: www.lehub.online
A bold concert-concept, 100% suburb energy, emerging talents, and raw vibes !
THE GOOOD PEOPLE
THE NEW AFTERWORK RITUAL IN PLATEAU
Since June, when night falls over Plateau, a new Thursday tradition is taking root ! The Goood People is a fresh afterwork concept launched by mixologist Alexander Quest in collaboration with Africafé, where afterwork means music, art, food, and cocktails. Try it now ! This weekly rendez-vous promises to turn the end of your week into a moment of pure release.
Good vibes, good food, good mood, good connections—come live the experience where everything is just goood !
Originally from Dakar, The Goood People brings to Abidjan the art of casual, unpretentious connection. Come to unwind, dance, get inspired… and savor. Every edition is driven by Alexander Quest’s signature cocktails from the “Goood Vibes”, a bold mandarin and marula gin creation, to “Love Below”, a spicy hibiscus and red berry rum mix. Even the mocktails, like “Ma Coco” and “Mood Up”, deliver full-on sensory experiences that tell a story with every sip.
On the food side, Africafé offers a special afterwork menu: delicious and generous, with alloco and eggs, beef filet pain bro, savory skewers, shareable tapas platters, and for dessert—the crowd favorite—plantain ice cream, a true original.
But The Goood People is more than just food and drinks, it’s also a bold artistic proposal. Top local DJs light up the nights, while visual art installations—like Franck Kamara’s during the first editions—bring a unique aesthetic dimension.
Come as you are. No fuss, just a light heart, dancing soul, and a taste for good vibes, creativity, and connection. Next edition: July 10, 2025. Get ready for a night that’s truly… goood.
THE GOOOD PEOPLE
Every Thursday at 6:00 PM. Africafé, Plateau Réservations via Insta : thegooodpeople.abj
Quartier France, Grand-Bassam
THE GALLERY TOUR
SUMMER EXHIBITIONS
« DAYEGUE »
Adual exhibition by artist Sadikou Oukpedjo, who, through drawings, paintings, and sculptures, delivers a deeply personal body of work directly connected to his intimate history and his reflections on humanity. Until mid-August 2025 at the Fondation Donwahi and the Galerie Cécile Fakhoury (Cocody).
« LA TERRE N’A QU’UN SOLEIL »
The iconic Alba’hian series (meaning “the first light of day” in Agni) by Ivorian photographer Joana Choumali: photos taken between 5 and 7 a.m., enhanced with collages, embroidery, and montage to create delicate canvases filled with dreamlike qualities. Until July 25, 2025, at the Galerie Farah Fakhri (Plateau).
« LA GRANDE HISTOIRE
DES ÉLÉPHANTS »
This is neither an animal exhibition nor a football exhibition! It is a historical exhibition that, through the round ball and the work of a team of 11 artists, tells the story of Côte d’Ivoire. Until November 23, 2025, at MuCAT (Abobo).
« DE L’ART BRUT »
An exhibition of works by artist Mahé Djiré, created from various materials, which deeply questions the integration of art into social fabric and opens a reflection on the shifting boundaries between what is considered art and what is not. From July 3 to August 30, 2025, at Galerie Sankonian (Abobo).
« ALAIN ZIRIGNOND »
The famous Ivorian painter Alain Zirignond, often nicknamed the “African Picasso” for his bold fusion of Cubism and graphic motifs inspired by African masks, celebrates 30 years of creation through this exhibition. Until July 26, 2025, at Sofitel Abidjan Hôtel Ivoire (Cocody).
« RÉTROSPECTIVE JACOBLEU »
Aretrospective exhibition, testimonials, and performances celebrating 30 years of artist Jacobleu’s career, coupled with the inauguration of his new artistic space. At Jacobleu Art Gallery (2 Plateaux – Latrille).
« UN MONDE À PRENDRE »
After several years of exploration, inner journeys, and artistic evolution, artist Barnabé returns to Abidjan with a new, intimate, and powerful proposal. An invitation to enter his universe, that of the Barnies, characters he has brought to life since his beginnings. Until August 2025 at Galerie Studer (Cocody).
« SILHOUETTES
DE L’ÂME
»
Artists Eleez and Mouono explore the invisible through floating, anonymous bodies, between appearance and disappearance. Their works, blending silence and memory, reveal buried emotions and fragmented identities, offering an introspective journey where the gaze seeks to pierce the mysteries of the human soul. Until August 19, 2025, at Walls House of Art (Zone 4).
« DÉCOUVERTES #7 »
©Lydia Matiegou-Keïta_Forêt de baobabs #1_Pyrogravure sur bois (Bûche)_35 L x 9,5 cm l x 5 cm (2024)
For this 7th edition of Discoveries, curated by Nora Diaby, 4 young artists are brought together around a common thread: memory, identity, and transmission. Maria Adjovi, Jean-Luc Konkobo, Lydia MatiegouKeïta, and Capucine Minot were chosen for their unique and powerfully embodied universes, as well as for the subtle echoes they weave between each other. From July 10 to August 30, 2025, at LouiSimone Guirandou Gallery (Cocody Mermoz).
Konkonbo_Mami Watta_Pigments d’archives sur papier FineArt_75 x 115 cm_2025
©Jean-Luc
©Capucine Minot_Baoulé_100x65cm_Dessin au crayon graphite_2023
©Maria Adjovi_Dans la prière je te retrouve Huile sur Toile_33 x 41 cm (2025)
« THE WAKE NFT »
After being featured in the official program of the Dakar Biennale and the 1-54 fair in Marrakech, this exhibition, supported by Création Africa and the French Institute, presents never-before-seen digital works by 11 artists from Africa and the diaspora. It reaffirms the creativity of artists using digital media and advocates NFTs as tools for protecting intellectual property. From July 1 to 25, 2025, at Something Art Space (Cocody).
« LORIKO TAKI »
Through a vibrant palette and a deliberately naive style, Loriko Taki highlights the cultural richness of Côte d’Ivoire and West Africa, blending collective memory, everyday life scenes, and traditional rituals. Until July 31, 2025, at The Ivory Collection (Assouindé).
Youssef El Idrissi, “Atar”, création digitale, 2024
VILLA N’ZUO
A NEW CREATIVE SPACE IN ABIDJAN AND GRAND-BASSAM
Villa N’Zuo embodies a shared commitment to building bridges between artists, disciplines, and territories.
Initiated by the Institut français de Côte d’Ivoire, Villa N’Zuo has opened its doors for its very first artist residency. Located between Abidjan and Grand-Bassam, this residency is conceived as a place for exploration, experimentation, and dialogue centered around three key themes: memory, territory, and transmission. These themes serve to question the present, evoke the past, and nourish contemporary artistic practices.
The residency is supported by two major partnerships: the Farah Fakhri residency, located in the heart of Plateau, which strengthens the circulation dynamic by enabling international artists to engage with Ivorian realities; and Maison N’Zima, a space founded by designer Jean Servais Somian in Grand-Bassam. Maison N’Zima shares a strong vision—to foster encounters among artists, encourage the crossing of their universes, and form a vibrant, supportive creative community.
For this inaugural edition, four artists were selected to take residence at Villa N’Zuo in Grand-Bassam :
Wilfried Kouamé : paints fading memory, silent bodies, and contemporary tensions through scraping, collage, and poetry.
Baye Ndiaga Diouf : summons forgotten wisdoms, explores nature and lost souls in a spiritual and visual journey through paintings and installations.
Womadeli Silué : draws from his Senufo roots to forge a free, ritualistic painting style seeking a language that connects beings beyond forms.
Ouattara Seydou : questions the visibility of disabled bodies through canvases balancing legibility and erasure, between intimate pain and political gesture.
These 2 last artists are laureates of the BJKD Prize 2025, which enabled their participation in partnership with the BJKD Foundation.
Over several weeks, these four artists lived, created, and exchanged at Villa N’Zuo. Concurrently, mediation workshops were organized to open spaces for dialogue between resident artists and local creators, students, and art enthusiasts. From mid-July to mid-August, the Farah Fakhri residency will host its first artist through this collaboration : Troy Makaza, a Zimbabwean visual artist. With a poetic yet direct style, Troy embodies an insatiable thirst for more grain, more earth, more life even at great risk.
Designed as an open space for all artistic disciplines, Villa N’Zuo aims to become a landmark in the Ivorian and regional cultural landscape. A new call for applications will be launched in September 2025. The residency also welcomes artists from other African countries, the diaspora, and the Caribbean. Ivorian artists can participate as members of an international artistic collective. This positioning maintains the spirit of intercultural exchange at the core of the project, fostering crossovers and confrontations of experience.
« LES COULEURS DU VOYAGE »
EXHIBITION OF THE MONTH
A sensory journey through Yasuko
Galerie Eureka is hosting until July 31, 2025, a delicate yet universal exhibition titled “Les couleurs du voyage” by Japanese artist Yasuko Okamoto, whose work transports viewers to the borders of memory, poetry, and abstraction.
Born in Wakayama, Japan, Yasuko Okamoto is a contemporary painter whose artistic path has been deeply shaped by travel. From Japan to France, Taiwan, Italy, Senegal, and now Ivory Coast, she has woven over decades a unique oeuvre nourished by her multiple lives abroad. Her canvases serve as windows into inner landscapes filled with light, emotion, and a subtle balance between East and West.
Specializing in abstract painting, Okamoto primarily uses acrylics, sometimes enriched with collages of paper, sand, or fabric, giving her works an organic, almost living texture. This sensitive and intuitive approach imparts a unique density to each canvas, hovering between materiality and movement.
What stands out most are the colors: vibrant, subtle, luminous, or muted, they convey fleeting impressions, fragments of memories, and sensations gathered from her travels. The artist does not paint places but rather the atmosphere that reigns there, the emotions that linger, and the suspended moments she experienced, seeking to establish a wordless dialogue with the viewer.
Okamoto Yasuko
Okamoto’s abstraction.
Nocturne - 116x89 cm
ARCHIVES.IVOIRE
THE VOICE OF WOMEN IN IVORIAN AUDIOVISUAL HISTORY
Archives.ivoire is an Instagram platform dedicated to exploring femininity and visual representation within the rich audiovisual culture of Côte d’Ivoire. Founded in May 2020 by independent researcher Marie-Hélène Banimbadio Tusiama, the project began as a digital archive celebrating female beauty and expression during the golden age of Ivorian pop culture—a period when Côte d’Ivoire led the entertainment scene in Africa.
A media project inviting its audience to reconnect with their cultural past through nostalgia and shared experience.
As nostalgia and cultural reappropriation reshape narratives worldwide, Archives.ivoire offers a relevant and unique perspective. Since 2023, the platform has expanded to include film curation and editorial storytelling, creating a space where cultural memory, aesthetics, and identity intersect. It serves as a place of remembrance and celebration at the crossroads of local audiences, the diaspora, and viewers around the globe.
Today, Archives.ivoire is much more than just a page ! It is a memory, a community, and a media project encouraging its audience to reconnect with their cultural heritage through nostalgia and shared experience. In a world dominated by Western media, Archives.ivoire provides a counter-narrative—a voice that values African cultures, especially women in pop culture who are often overlooked. By selecting rare and hard-to-find archives (from cult series like Teenager or Ma Famille to iconic music videos from the Ivorian
scene), Archives.ivoire restores visibility to cultural traces threatened by oblivion. Themes such as heartbreak, wealth, beauty, style, and love are explored with depth, humor, and remembrance. It is a space where the diaspora finds a symbolic home and where local audiences see themselves represented with pride.
The Ciné-Club
Launched in May 2023, the Ciné-Club is a bi-monthly, non-profit film screening series dedicated to classic Ivorian cinema. Held between Abidjan and Grand-Bassam, each session encourages dialogue around Ivorian audiovisual heritage while reviving the spirit of neighborhood cinemas of the past. These are genuine moments of transmission, celebration, and collective memory.
The screenings also foster valuable collaborations with major institutions and cultural figures such as the Institut français, the Henri Duparc Foundation, the National Cinema Office of Côte d’Ivoire, and the Cécile Fakhoury Gallery; filmmakers including Sidiki Bakaba, Éliane de Latour, and Nuits Balnéaires; as well as collectives like Je-Swi and Oiseau Studio. The next screening will take place in August 2025. Stay tuned to the Instagram page @archives.ivoire for details !
SACRED OBJECTS
VIRTUAL EXHIBITION
BY GHISLAIN BROWN-KOSSI
Until August 7, 2025, LouiSimone Guirandou Gallery invites contemporary art lovers to discover Sacred Objects, the new virtual exhibition by Franco-Ivorian-Canadian artist Ghislain BrownKossi, available in its Viewing Room. In this new series, the artist transforms ordinary materials into meaningful visual artifacts, exploring our relationship to the sacred, heritage, and identity through a powerful, fragmentary, and symbolic aesthetic.
With Sacred Objects, Brown-Kossi continues his exploration of memory and signs. The works, made of plaster bas-reliefs, African textiles, sand, collages, and paint, take the form of hybrid objects evoking forgotten
archives, contemporary ritual objects, and autonomous artworks. The material is carved, layered, and marked, becoming a surface for reading and interpretation. Each fragment seems to carry a story, a territory, a belief.
This more graphic and structured new collection marks an evolution in the artist’s
Ghislain Brown-Kossi, Zaouli #00, 2024 - 101.6 x 152.4 cm
practice, asserting a desire to unify visual languages and create dialogues between craftsmanship, architecture, textile design, and urban culture. This crossing of disciplines and influences gives his work a rare meditative power, where abstraction becomes a narrative vehicle. Far from illustrative, the message is embodied in visual rhythms, textured silences, and tensions between volume and surface.
Trained in fashion and enriched by an international background, Ghislain BrownKossi calls his approach “Archaeological Pop.” He draws from his multicultural experience to create a visual language reconnecting ancient signs with contemporary realities. His works tell stories of exile, roots, and silent transmissions.
Through this immersive exhibition, the artist continues reactivating symbols, displacing and recontextualizing them to question what connects, grounds, and transcends us.
SACRED OBJETS
Until August 7, 2025. Available online at www.louisimoneguirandou.gallery
Ghislain Brown-Kossi, New Fertility, 2025 - 121.92 x 121.92 cm
Ghislain Brown-Kossi, Artifact 11:11, 2022 - 121.92 x 91.44 cm
©Seong Goo Kim
CULTURE
LE BEST-OFF DU MOIS
THE EXPO - CENTRE IVOIRO-CORÉEN
MARKET
GONDWANA CLUB PULLMAN HÔTEL
COMEDY SHOW
Abidjan’s first comedy club featuring performances from both iconic comedians and rising new talents.
July 4, 2025 at 9:00 PM Pullman Hôtel Abidjan 05 04 00 66 66
Discover over 100 brands from Côte d’Ivoire’s creative sector, plus fashion shows, inspiring talks and exhibitions, hands-on workshops, and an epic afterparty with top DJs spinning all night in a one-ofa-kind shopping experience !
July 5–6, 2025
Alassane Ouattara Ivorian-Korean Sports, Cultural and ICT Center 07 48 40 44 83
CAFÉ LITTÉRAIRE - INSTITUT FRANÇAIS
DISCUSSION
Join us for a conversation over coffee around the essay “On the African Origins of Modern Mathematics” by Groubera Tapé.
July 9, 2025 at 4:00 PM, Institut français, Abidjan 27 20 20 40 60
AUCUN REPOS POUR LES MÉCHANTS ! - MAJESTIC
IVOIRE
STAND-UP COMEDY
Every great story needs a villain! In this solo show, Dr Nejycus opens his clinic—with laughter as the only prescription! A sharp, hilarious ride.
July 17, 2025 at 7:00 PM, Majestic Ivoire 07 79 75 36 14
TEHUI ET RICHARD KARA - AZK LIVE
LA FÊTE À GOHOU
SOFITEL ABIDJAN HÔTEL IVOIRE
COMEDY
Get ready for a night of pure Ivorian humor with the one and only Michel Gohou and his surprise guests.
August 3, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Sofitel Abidjan Hôtel Ivoire 07 01 33 33 33
Tehui hits the stage to launch his new EP Amuse-Oreilles 2, joined by Richard Kara for a night of rap, soul, reggae, and afrobeat. A powerful musical experience awaits !
July 18, 2025 at 9:00 PM, AZK Live 05 05 00 27 63
SUPERMAN MOVIE OF THE MONTH
This month, DC Studios and Warner Bros. Pictures invite you to discover a fresh take on the world’s first modern superhero. With his unique style, James Gunn delivers a spectacular, funny, and heartfelt film that portrays a Superman driven by compassion and an unshakable belief in human goodness..
BAAB reviews it...
“Superman” marks a turning point for DC Comics, as it reboots its cinematic universe with a modernized vision of the legendary superhero. David Corenswet takes on the role of Clark Kent/Superman for the first time, following in the footsteps of Henry Cavill, alongside Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor.
Inspired by the cult comic All-Star Superman, this film introduces a Superman already active in Metropolis, caught between his Kryptonian origins and human upbringing— far from the traditional origin story. The narrative is more political and introspective, raising deep questions about the place of an all-powerful being in a skeptical society and a world where kindness seems outdated.
Several other DC heroes also make an appearance, including Green Lantern, Hawkgirl, Mister Terrific, and even Krypto, Superman’s dog. With its retro-modern aesthetic and ambitious soundtrack, the film delivers action, heart, and a poetic touch.
This highly anticipated reboot lays the foundation for a new DC Universe, with Superman at its core. Blending action, emotion, and hope, it’s set to be one of the biggest cinematic events of summer 2025, revitalizing the character and the franchise. Catch it this July in Majestic theaters !
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CHALLENGER RACE #13
RECAP IN PICTURES !
Another huge success for the 13th edition of the Challenger Race… one of the best ever, according to organizers and the hundreds of participants who took part. If you were among the brave athletes who hit the ground running during this epic sporting weekend on May 24–25, 2025, you might spot yourself in
these photos ! On the Eloka track, you pushed your limits and experienced an unforgettable moment of collective endurance and energy. As always, the race lived up to the hype ! Bravo to everyone and see you in spring 2026 for the next round !
KIDS SPECIAL
A HOLIDAY FULL OF FUN !
The ideal solution to keep the kids busy and happy all summer long. Boredom ? Not a chance !
Between staying with grandparents and family vacations, leisure and sports centers are offering our little ones a wide range of fun, creative, and original activities this holiday season.Choose flexible weekly programs tailored “à la carte”—just the way they (and you!) want them. Perfect, right ?
MULTI-ACTIVITY CENTERS
ART ACADEMIA
Riviera Allabra, 05 45 70 75 80
ATELIERS CRÉATIFS KIDS
2 Plateaux, Las Palmas, 05 05 38 83 49
LES ATELIERS POMME D’API
Zone 4, rue du Dr Blanchard. 07 07 82 86 02
CENTRE DE CAPOEIRA OWLAVE
2 Plateaux, Maison du Brésil. 07 07 71 03 83
DREAMLAND
Zone 4, rue du Dr Blanchard. 07 04 04 05 73
ÉCOLE ANDRÉ MALRAUX
Riviera 2, 01 40 35 42 42
L’ÉDEN DES ENFANTS
Marcory Résidentiel, 07 08 80 37 92
L’ÉVEIL
2 Plateaux, rue des Jardins. 07 49 38 65 61
EQUI LIBRE
Riviera Bonoumin, 07 11 46 49 02
EQUINOX
Riviera 3, 07 09 50 54 04
LA FABRIQUE CULTURELLE
2 Plateaux. 07 07 88 90 08
FAIRY GARDEN
Marcory Résidentiel. 07 49 19 19 56
HAPPY PARK
Riviera Golf. 07 77 75 06 76
IVORY MONTESSORY SCHOOL
Cocody Danga, 07 08 13 18 18
MARIE Mc LEOD ACTIVITY CENTER
Riviera 3. 01 01 19 95 61
LE MONDE DE MIMI JOLY
Riviera Cap Nord. 07 78 74 15 02
POUR MON BÉBÉ
Angré 8e tranche. 07 89 30 21 30
LES P’TITS FUTÉS
Riviera Cap Nord. 07 78 49 07 87
LES P’TITS LIONS
Riviera 3, 07 87 11 08 23
LES RIBAMBELLES
Zone 4, rue des Alizés. 07 08 38 45 68
SOL BÉNI
Riviera M’Pouto. 07 09 07 46 30
VILLAGE KIYI
Riviera 2. 07 18 31 86 20
YOUPILAND
Marcory Résidentiel, rue des Colibris. 07 79 40 00 00
SPORTS CAMPS
Sol Béni
Football Camp
Riviera M’Pouto 07 09 07 46 30
Ivoire Academie
Football Camp
Songon Dagbe 07 77 74 15 23
Sport Park
Football Camp
Bingerville, Jules Verne 01 41 42 42 41
Athletic Club
Football & Tennis Camps
Zone 4, bd PG Yacé 07 07 45 16 70
Olympic basketball Center
Basketball Camp
Cocody 05 75 91 53 71
Team Rollers
Rollerblading Camp
Université FHB 07 47 49 21 39
Coach Laurent
Intensive Golf Lessons
Ivoire Golf Club 07 08 80 49 79
Cercle de la Voile d’Abidjan
Sailing Camp
Abobo Doumé, Yopougon 07 79 95 77 36
Ivoire Golf Club
Swimming Lessons 01 40 00 15 90
Padelta Padel Camp
Cocody Danga 01 73 33 33 33
UNIQUE & CREATIVE ACTIVITIES
Digital discovery vacations
This summer, kids get to learn through play ! On the agenda: robotics, programming, artificial intelligence, game and robot design... Hands-on, fun-filled workshops led by passionate professionals to spark their inner creator !
At the Ivorian Robotics Center, Angré 7e tranche 07 13 28 33 89
Music’oh workshops
Listen, identify, and play musical instruments and rhythms from around the world, sing along, create, relax, and express yourself — these workshops are much more than just games. Guided by music therapist Anny Chatot, kids will explore sound and feeling in a fun, interactive way.
Zone 3, rue des ferronniers 07 77 39 26 49
All-choco fun at the Chocoladrome
Ivoirienne de Chocolaterie, in partnership with Kids House, invites children to deliciously creative workshops! They’ll make chocolatey treats and desserts while learning all about the cocoa journey from bean to bar. Mouthwatering fun guaranteed !
At the Chocoladrome, Riviera 2 07 47 51 07 11
AROUND WORDS AND BOOKS
4 ACTIVITIES FOR OUR CHILDREN
NOTRE BOÎTE À LIVRES
Reading around the corner
Launched in February 2019 by Rita Dro Maman, a journalist and literature enthusiast, Notre boîte à livres is an original project that installs small free-access libraries throughout the city and beyond. The principle is simple: take a book, leave a book, read, and share.
A citizen initiative that rekindles the joy of reading in the streets of Abidjan.
Designed as a concrete response to the lack of access to books for a large part of the population, especially young people, this initiative is based on free access, trust, and the pleasure of reading. The boxes, often colorful and placed near schools, markets, or in popular neighborhoods, contain novels, comics, tales, and magazines. A treasure for those who cannot always afford to buy books or visit traditional libraries.
In six years, over 70 boxes have been installed across Côte d’Ivoire, including 56 in rural cocoa-growing areas through a partnership with the NGO International Cocoa Initiative. These installations have reached more than 40,000 children.
But the initiative goes much further. Thanks to a committed team, it animates the boxes with reading workshops, theater, painting, educational games, and neighborhood dictations. A joyful act of resistance to put reading back at the heart of daily life.
BOÎTE À LIVRES
3, Lauriers 1 Notre Boîte A Livres
Riviera
NOTRE
LA DICTÉE DU QUARTIER
Initiated by the association La Boîte à Livres, La dictée du quartier is a competition testing the spelling, conjugation, and grammar skills of more than 5,000 children from the micro-library network as well as beneficiary neighborhoods. In a friendly atmosphere, it promotes the French language, encourages exchange, and involves writers and inspiring personalities.
When : lednesdays and Saturdays from July to September
Who : Children aged 9 to 20 from the Notre boîte à livres network and beneficiary communities.
07 48 75 70 02
CREATIVE WRITING WORKSHOP
Organized by the Bookinerie We Love Books, this workshop welcomes young people to explore writing as a game, a pleasure, and a tool for expression. The program includes literary discussions, story creation, writing activities, sharing, and imagination development… all in a relaxed and supportive environment. And to participate, no writing skills are required, just something to say !
WHen : Saturday, August 2, 2025, at Colab, Vallons
Who : Children aged 12 and up 07 47 75 90 39
POETIC WRITING WORKSHOP
FREE YOUR WORDS, NOURISH YOUR IMAGINATION WITH GLOIRE WANIEF
OnUne matinée pleine
d’inspiration et de créativité, c’est certain ! >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Acrostic, anaphora, rhetorical question, oxymoron… Behind these somewhat mysterious words lie countless ways to play with language and shape ideas. In this workshop titled “Casser votre figure… de style”, each child will take ownership of these figures and use them to write a poem to say, read, or declaim. A moment of creation, play, and self-confidence.
Saturday, July 12, 2025, at the Institut français, a poetic writing workshop awaits children aged 7 and up. Led by Gloire Wanief, writer and editorial assistant at Tabala Éditions, this workshop invites young participants to explore the rich and playful world of literary figures of speech.
This workshop is also a wonderful opportunity to rediscover poetry in a new light as a joyful playground where every word counts and every voice deserves to be heard. Passionate about writing, Gloire Wanief generously shares his love of words with children, opening a door to personal expression.
At the Institut français de Côte d’Ivoire, youth are at the heart of the programming. Throughout the year, the media library offers free, varied, and accessible activities to awaken the curiosity of the youngest and provide spaces for expression. Here, cultures meet, share, and transmit, nurturing the imagination of today’s children, tomorrow’s creators.
INSIDE THE LEGENDARY ROOM OF BONAVENTURE KALOU
AN EXPERIENCE TO LIVE AT NOVOTEL ABIDJAN MARCORY
On April 17, 2025, Novotel Abidjan Marcory inaugurated its Legendary Room dedicated to Bonaventure Kalou, a unique room paying tribute to one of the greatest names in Ivorian football and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). BAAB couldn’t miss it and spent a night there. Here’s what we experienced !
This iconic room transforms a simple hotel stay into a living immersion into the world of a football legend.
As soon as you enter the Legendary Room, it’s clear that this is no ordinary hotel suite. Decorated in PSG colors, every detail honors Bonaventure Kalou’s career. Framed jerseys, photographs from historic matches, inspiring quotes, and carefully
displayed memorabilia… each object and image tells a part of his story. The room blends elegance, warmth, and modernity, all in line with Novotel’s premium standards. It’s the perfect fusion of comfort, passion, and Ivorian hospitality.
But there’s more! This room, exclusively available on ALL.com, Accor Group’s booking and loyalty platform, also offers a new kind of immersive, connected experience through interactive digital content. Upon arrival, guests receive a QR code granting access to an exclusive digital platform, featuring stories told by Bonaventure himself, highlights from his PSG career, archival footage, and even his personal tips for discovering Abidjan, including his favorite spots.
The Legendary Rooms concept, launched by Novotel in partnership with PSG and
already featured in Jakarta, Shanghai, and Riyadh, makes Abidjan the fourth city to host this unique experience. A must-discover for football fans and curious travelers alike. At BAAB, we’re totally won over and we highly recommend the experience !
NOVOTEL ABIDJAN MARCORY
Boulevard Félix Houphouët Boigny novotel_abidjan_marcory
Bonaventure Kalou, former international striker (52 caps between 1998 and 2006), joined Paris Saint-Germain in 2005. Versatile and experienced, he helped the Red & Blue win the French Cup in 2006, scoring one of the two goals in the final against Olympique de Marseille. In just two seasons and 72 matches with PSG, he netted 18 goals and delivered 14 assists.
LET’S GO TO MAN ! THE GREEN JEWEL OF WESTERN IVORY COAST
Nestled in the heart of the western Ivorian mountains, Man is a city that charms visitors with its lush landscapes, cool climate, and rich cultural heritage. Capital of the Tonkpi region, about 600 km from Abidjan, it is a must-visit destination for lovers of ecotourism and African traditions.
Between sacred mountains, vibrant traditions, and abundant nature… welcome to Man !
Look up and take in the view ! Man is a city surrounded by majestic landscapes. With over 18 mountains, including Mount Tonkpi — the second highest peak in Côte d’Ivoire at 1,215 meters — and the iconic Dent de Man rock formation, the area offers hikers the perfect opportunity to rise above it all and trek through lush vegetation. The panoramic view from the top, overlooking tropical forests, coffee and cocoa plantations, and the villages scattered across the valley, is hard-earned… but absolutely breathtaking !
Good to know : Mount Tonkpi can be partially accessed by vehicle. Don’t miss the RTI relay tower and the former house of Pierre Mesmer, once governor of the colony.
Gbepleu : sacred forest and monkeys
The sacred forest of Gbepleu, off-limits to non-initiates, is a serene, mysterious place steeped in legend. It is home to Campbell’s mona monkeys, revered by the Yacouba people. These monkeys, familiar with humans, often approach visitors especially those with bananas in hand !
Local lore claims these monkeys are descendants of royal advisors or humans transformed to escape colonization. A commemorative statue of King Many’s daughter, sacrificed to expand the kingdom, keeps this powerful story alive.
More than 18 mountains !
Man is known for its waterfalls… and there are many around the city ! The most accessible is the Man Waterfall, also known as the Zadepleu Waterfall, just a few minutes from the city center. Another hidden gem: the tiered waterfalls of Glongouin, nestled in a dense green forest. A short walk through village plantations and gardens leads you there. And the reward ? A peaceful, refreshing swim far from the noise of the city.
From waterfall to waterfall
Liépleu and the sacred vine
bridges
This village on the edge of the forest is famous for its sacred vine bridge, suspended over the Cavally River. According to tradition, this impressive structure made entirely from vines, wood, and natural fibers can only be built by initiated members of the community, who construct it overnight in total secrecy following sacred rituals. Crossing the bridge barefoot often requires approval from local chiefs. Similar vine bridges can be found throughout the region, each with its own legends and symbolic meanings. Notable ones include those in Gouiné, Biankouma, Gbadrou, and Danané.
At the heart of Dan culture
The Dan ethnic group is renowned for its oral traditions, ancestral spirituality, and especially its masked dances, which mark important village life events. To fully experience this cultural immersion, visit the village of Bouni, about 1.5 hours from Man. There, you can witness four traditional dances : The Saaman, celebrating a young man’s transition into adulthood; The Lédieh, performed by the most beautiful unmarried girl in the village; the mysterious and graceful Glé mask dance and the acrobatic and awe-inspiring Guégblin, or stilt dancer’s performance.
Taste Local Craftsmanship
Don’t miss the weavers, with their endless threads set up beside the Hôtel des Cascades or the wood sculptors of the Muslim neighborhood Dioulabouglou, working with aloi, a richly colored red wood.
All our addresses for staying and visiting Man are on www.baab.ci
AN UNUSUAL PERSPECTIVE !
Rock Climbing the Dent de Man
To climb the legendary Dent de Man, you now have two options ! The traditional hike through the forest, or the less conventional ascent—rock climbing along the cliff face !
Recently, the climbing collective Les Margouillats equipped this big route with the approval of the village authorities. After five days of observation, scouting, cleaning, testing, and drilling, the sacred rock is finally accessible : a brand-new multipitch climb in Côte d’Ivoire, rated at a minimum difficulty of 6B.
PASSIONATELY CI IN THE MISTS OF ASSOUINDE
“A passionate traveler, I capture the beauty of the Ivory Coast through my adventures. Explore and collaborate with me on unique projects !”
Marketer, content creator, seaside tour operator 05 45 55 28 60 / 07 59 17 90 22 jacques_allatin
Par Jacques Allatin
JACQUES ALLATIN
