Dakar 2026 Celebrates Senegalese Culture

Dakar 2026 is integrating art, fashion, music, and Senegalese cultural heritage into the Youth Olympic Games, creating opportunities for young people and local creatives beyond sporting competition. A central initiative, YEESAL, has brought together 43 painters and graffiti artists to create public murals celebrating sport, African athletes, and Senegalese identity across Dakar, Diamniadio, and Saly, the sites of the Games. Beyond murals, organizers plan concerts, dance performances, craft demonstrations, traditional games like Yoté and Awalé, and workshops exploring Senegalese instruments such as the sabar, djembe, kora, and balafon. Additionally, the event will feature a fashion show as well as exhibitions that showcase African Olympic women and Senegalese visual arts. Performances will also draw on heritage such as the Kankurang, a UNESCO-listed initiation rite.