In Médina, one of Dakar’s oldest districts, hundreds of murals have earned the neighborhood the nickname “open-air museum,” blending seamlessly into daily life alongside markets, carpentry shops, and bustling foot traffic. Local organizations like Yataal Art work with residents to create pieces that honor community identity while addressing social themes such as sustainability and historical memory. The annual Fest-iGraff festival, hosted at the Maison de la Culture Douta Seck, draws artists from more than 40 countries to collaborate on new works, reinforcing Médina’s reputation as a creative epicenter. Beyond fresh graffiti, advocates are pushing to preserve colonial-era architecture dating back over a century. City officials have supported these efforts, including funding festivals and installing protective gates around mural corridors, cementing street art’s role in the neighborhood’s cultural and civic identity.
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