In seven years, Abidjan Capitale du Rire has become the must-see event for African comedy. From February 4 to 6, 2022, the Ivorian capital will host, as it does every year, original shows meticulously staged over several months by comedian and producer Mamane.
Abidjan Capitale du Rire has attracted more than 20,000 spectators over the last six editions, with 2,500 people expected for the seventh, around 100 technicians, 50 African artists and a dozen from Europe and North America, with a huge impact across social media.
Abidjan Capitale du Rire (ACR) is a precious space of freedom where refined humor is expressed without complexes or boundaries.
If the Ivorian economic capital has naturally established itself as a hub for pan-African humor, it is because, according to its initiator Mamane, "all Africans know that Ivorian humor is the humor of all Africa." Ivorian humor has always taken the approach of laughing at everything, and has permeated African culture as a whole. The Pearl of the Lagoons, dear to the comedian's heart, is "a place where laughter and artists from all countries and cultures come together." Abidjan, the capital of laughter: a fact that this festival brings to life.
A privileged showcase for a rapidly expanding African comedy scene, the festival was created with the ambition of lasting and becoming part of the circuit of major international festivals, aided in this by partnerships with Canal Plus and RFI/France 24, which contribute significantly to its international reach.
Another goal claimed by its promoter is to break down cultural and national barriers and, through conscious humor, highlight issues common to a diverse and authentic Africa. The aim is therefore to press where it hurts, with kindness, and to say it loud and clear in order to raise public awareness. Politics, globalization, immigration, elections, pandemics, education, health, and other issues… nothing escapes the sharp scrutiny of African comedians on stage at Abidjan Capitale du Rire.
Once again, this year's program is unique and creative. This is one of the festival's distinctive features: it knows how to reinvent itself by offering original shows, under the artistic direction of Mamane:
- Friday, February 4 at 8:00 p.m. Gondwana Club: Festival Opening Gala
The Abidjan Comedy Club, which opened in 2019 at the Pullman Abidjan and is a weekly showcase for comedy, will host the opening gala of this 7th edition with talented and renowned comedians. This is an opportunity to discover and rediscover the Gondwana Club, the comedy club where the people of Abidjan come to have a good time every Friday.
- Saturday, February 5 at 8:00 p.m. at the Palais de la Culture: Willy Dumbo in a one-man show
After Les Zinzins de l'Art and Boukary, it is Willy Dumbo's turn to offer his very first show to the audience of Abidjan, the Capital of Laughter. This artist, whose creativity is constantly bubbling, welcomes the audience to his first one-man show with the evocative title Immature 2.0. It is a pleasure for the festival to welcome a comedian of Willy Dumbo's caliber to the second gala of this 7th edition.
- Sunday, February 6 at 8:00 p.m. at the Palais de la Culture: Young vs. Old
"The humor of the old guys was zero," say some. Others retort that "today's comedians are nonsense."
On February 6, on the stage of Abidjan Capitale du Rire, the truth will be revealed to everyone. We will find out who is funnier. The old and new generations of African comedians will face off on stage in a unique show that is not to be missed.
Press release