The sun-baked fishing village of Toubab Dialao, Senegal, transformed into a vibrant stage this past weekend as 25 dance companies from across the continent gathered for the African Dance Biennial. Founded in 1997, the festival rotates across African cities to elevate choreographic expression and is regarded as the continent’s leading contemporary dance event. The latest edition, hosted at the world-renowned École des Sables (School of Sands), took place over three days and saw performers fill the open-air sand stage with dynamic routines. The institution, established by Germaine Acogny in 1998, has become a hub for professional dance training, blending traditional West African styles with modern techniques. While the festival celebrated the school’s legacy, the event was overshadowed by a looming threat: a billion-dollar deep-water port project by Dubai Ports World. Local arts organizations are now mobilizing to resist the development and protect the region’s cultural and ecological heritage.
AP
