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Ph:DR: A Government initiative called “Sing and Dance with the Amazon”, which aims to put on stage every evening, artists,
For a good two weeks, the Esplanade de l’Amazone was always full. From the four corners of Benin’s largest economic city and the surrounding regions, movements converged on the giant statue which sits in the middle of the space. A beautiful musical entertainment has attracted several thousand spectators from all social and professional categories until September 3, 2023. This is a Government initiative called “Sing and Dance with the Amazon”, and which aims to put artists, orchestras and dance companies on stage every evening in order to offer Beninese people and all types of visitors, a memorable moment of entertainment at the foot of the Amazon statue.
Thus, from August 8 to September 3, this program, which is intended to be an extension of the events of the national holiday of August 1, 2023, made the economic city of Benin vibrate. With an attractive agenda and a well-suited cast, thanks to the expertise of Richmir TOTAH who provided artistic direction for the initiative. This is demonstrated by the performances of the different musical groups, orchestras and dance companies. This made it possible to create throughout the month of August a festive atmosphere, enthusiasm and excitement beyond the attraction offered by the statue.
Music orchestras and dance companies made the public sing and dance to several musical varieties (Afro Jazz, urban music, Juju Music, percussion, Gospel and many other rhythms) every evening, from sunset to sun until nightfall.
Ph:DR: Minister Michel Abimbola and his technical staff
At the closing show this Sunday, September 3, 2023, the Minister in charge of Tourism, Culture and the Arts, Mr. Jean-Michel ABIMBOLA and the heads of the technical and artistic departments welcomed the public’s reaction to the initiative. “The Government realized that our compatriots understood the concept very well and appropriated these places to give them a soul (…). We noticed that the public responded very favorably with enthusiasm every day, and mainly on weekends,” he remarked.
The initiative was well spiced to allow the public to live an unforgettable experience during these summer holidays, especially with the installation of tarpaulins for picnics with family or friends, devices for fun activities, as well as Food trucks. All this aims, according to the Minister, “to create an economic ecosystem on this esplanade and still allow our visitors, the Beninese people to better take ownership of this place with their families”.
“Sing and Dance with the Amazon” includes more than thirty musical companies and four (04) dance companies, or in total, more than 150 musicians and around fifty dancers on stage during the period, specified Minister ABIMBOLA surrounded by his Chief of Staff and members of the implementation team, in particular, the heads of the ADAC and ANPT agencies. According to statistics, the initiative mobilized between 250 and 500 people on ordinary days. During weekends, the number of participants varies between 3000 and 6000 people.
Among the public, there is a call for the sustainability of the initiative and for better organization in future times.
