A cultural bridge between Paris 2024, Dakar 2026 and Los Angeles 2028
Born on the occasion of the centenary of the Paris Olympic Games and presented during the 2024 Cultural Olympiad, the “Empreinte 100 ans” project is launching its second major stage on African soil. The initiative is part of an international trajectory linking Paris 2024 to Dakar 2026, before heading towards Los Angeles 2028.
Far from being a mere replica of the Parisian edition, the Dakar component is designed to be rooted in Senegal’s identity, contemporary African creativity and the aspirations of its youth. The stated ambition is clear: to use art, sport, and culture to build a lasting legacy and pass on to new generations the memory of major Olympic events.
14 regions, 14 expressions: Senegal united by art and sport
One of the particularities of the Dakar 2026 edition lies in its territorial dimension. All 14 regions of Senegal will be fully involved, each with a dedicated celebration day to showcase its heritage, know-how, and stories.
To bring this diversity to life:
14 artists and 14 sports figures from the various regions will collaborate to create a dialogue between sporting performance and artistic creation.
The works and content will explore a wide range of media: painting, sculpture, photography, digital creation, video, installations, and immersive experiences.
Two major venues for an immersive experience
The event will simultaneously take over two leading cultural sites in Dakar, offering visitors a complementary journey:
-
The Museum of Black Civilizations (MCN): This will form the main artistic platform, showcasing contemporary artworks, regional memory and the work of the artists.
-
The Grand National Theater Doudou Ndiaye Coumba Rose (GTN): This will host technological and digital installations. The public will notably be able to discover an immersive exhibition dedicated to the spirit of Pierre de Coubertin, accompanied by the presentation of the 33 Olympic busts created for the Paris 2024 edition.
Strong institutional support in service of peace
Presented beforehand to Senegalese authorities, notably Mr. Alpha Thiam, Minister of Culture, Handicrafts and Tourism, and Mrs. Mame Coumba Diop, Minister in charge of Culture, Creative Industries, and Historical Heritage, the project benefits from active institutional support.
The artistic component is under the sponsorship of visual artist Kalidou Kassé, associate curator, while the International Observatory of Participatory Democracy in Africa (OIDP Afrique), directed by Bachir Kanouté, provides territorial support.
As Dakar prepares to welcome delegations and personalities from around the world for the YOG, “Empreinte 100 ans” aims to take advantage of this showcase to strengthen international cooperation and make youth the driving force of a universal message of peace.
