2023-11-08 16:28:10
The wall of the French Development Agency (AFD) served as a canvas for street artist Ernesto Novo. In total, seven paintings were unveiled to personalities from the cultural world and Beninese institutions. The inauguration of these frescoes took place this Tuesday, November 7, 2023 in Cotonou.
Ernesto Novo has, through his art, promoted the work of women in the fields of education, health, sport, urban development, energy and in several other sectors. On each of these murals, the Franco-Vietnamese artist depicted Beninese women in their daily lives. He didn’t just show the beauty of these women, but he went beyond to celebrate their determination.
If the woman is the common thread in the paintings painted by the artist, the latter has taken care to place the heroines of this fresco in situations which refer to the areas of invention of the AFD in Benin. From agriculture to women’s football, including the maintenance of solar panels and health care, AFD’s areas of intervention are represented.
For the realization of this project, the portraitist worked with two Beninese artists. They were inspired by photos taken by photographers to create the paintings. For certain creations, the artist and his assistants traveled to the field to draw inspiration from reality. ”It was three weeks of work with two assistants. It was quite tiring because there is less sun in Paris”, a joked Ernesto Novo. Coming to Benin for the fifth time, the artist is not his first collaboration with Beninese artists. His first exhibition was held in Porto-Novo. He only has good memories of these experiences. ”I have visited many countries in Central and West Africa. But here, I am really welcomed as if I were at home. he told us.
In front of the personalities who came to this ceremony, the French ambassador to Benin, Marc Vizy took the opportunity to recall the role that the Agency plays in the emancipation and inclusion of women in cultural projects. ”These are projects in which we reserve an important place for women (…). These frescoes are created by women and tell a little of the history of women too, which is important for Afd’s commitment to culture. he notified.
Culture is at the heart of the Franco-Beninese partnership
This exhibition allows the French Development Agency (AFD) to support Benin’s initiatives in favor of the development of arts and culture. The director of the AFD, Jérôme Bertrand-Hardy stressed that culture is more than ever at the heart of the Franco-Beninese partnership.
Ernesto Novo makes his works known
For his part, the chief of staff of the Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts welcomed the AFD’s efforts in the promotion and enhancement of culture. For Eric Totah, this project is part of an ecosystem that the government of Benin has undertaken for seven years to make Benin the land of the City of Arts.
”This is proof of the good health of cultural cooperation with France (…) we can clearly see how it shines alongside the Beninese government, which has chosen to make this sector a real 10th rank museum’ ‘, he suggested.
The French Development Agency is a financial institution that fights poverty and promotes sustainable development. It is now committed to supporting Benin in the cultural sector. Since 2021, in partnership with the National Agency for the Development of Tourist Heritage (ANPT), it has implemented the construction project of the Museum of Kings and Amazons of Danxomè (MuRAD) in Abomey as well as the rehabilitation of four royal palaces listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Read also =>> Benin: On the port wall, the artistic expression of religious tolerance
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