On Saturday November 14th 2009, the Palais de l'UNESCO once again played host to an exceptional gala evening organized by the Dekkal Thiossane association, under the patronage of the Permanent Delegation of Senegal to UNESCO. This 5th edition confirmed the event's reputation, offering a rich and varied program that transported participants to the heart of African culture.
A cocktail reception opened the evening at 5 p.m., allowing guests to discover an exhibition of paintings and sculptures by two renowned artists: Togolese sculptor-painter Yao Metsoko and Congolese visual artist Ngimbi Bakambana. The atmosphere was enlivened by the spellbinding sounds of Guinean griot Mohamed Lamine Dioubate, accompanied by a kora player.
At 8pm, guests gathered at the Palais' 7th floor restaurant, with its breathtaking view of the Eiffel Tower, for an exotic dinner prepared by the caterer "Goût et saveur d'Afrique". This gastronomic moment was punctuated by poetry readings by Alain Alfred (Cameroonian poet) and Sarrouss (Senegalese poet, winner of the 2009 UNESCO Poetry Prize).
The evening continued with a fashion show featuring creations by Ivorian stylist Anny G, enhanced by hairstyles from the Planète Coiffure Beauté salon.
Speeches followed, including those by Mrs Paulette Correa, President of Dekkal Thiossane, Mr Papa Momar Diop (Ambassador, Permanent Delegate of Senegal to UNESCO), Mr Léopold Faye (Consul General of Senegal in France) and Mr Jean Emmanuel Foumbi (Director of Hope Finance).
Finally, a series of musical performances rounded off this memorable evening. Tita Nzebi and Isaac John (Gabonese singers), Myrtille (World music), Libasse Niang and the group Étoile Musique (Senegalese dance), Nito Costa (Guinea-Bissau), and DJ Zidane (Coupé décalé from Côte d'Ivoire) kept the hall buzzing until midnight. A raffle gave participants the chance to win a number of prizes.
Organized with the professionalism that characterizes the Dekkal Thiossane association, the evening was a resounding success, celebrating the richness and diversity of African culture.
Story by Gilbert SARR
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