FENAC DOES HIS JUBILÉ IN KOUNDARA: ALL GUINEA IN COMPETITION!
For the first time in its history, the National Festival of Arts and Culture left the capital: its 20th edition transformed Koundara, at Badiar, into the cultural capital of Guinea, from December 5 to 7, 2025.
Koundara had never experienced such a rapid development. On Friday, December 5, 2025, this border prefecture of Senegal and Guinea-Bissau became Guinea's cultural capital for three days: the official kick-off of the 20th edition of the National Festival of Arts and Culture — the FENAC — was given there in the presence of several members of the government.
Eight regions, one scene
The FENAC is the country's major cultural competition: the troops of the eight administrative regions are measured in heritage dance, theatre, tale, recital, percussion, traditional and urban music and traditional struggle. Before the final phase, a "Quinzaine" of pre-selections makes vibrating districts, communes and prefectures: it is a whole country that repeats, selects and sends its best artists to defend its colors.
A Jubilee Turned Into the Country
The festival, carried by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Crafts, via the FODAC, is travelling: after Conakry in 2023 (19th edition, from 12 to 16 December), it was Koundara who hosted the jubilee edition — twenty years of FENAC. For the host city, the stakes go beyond the celebration: to enhance local talents, crafts, cultural entrepreneurship and tourism in a region where people are at the crossroads. The Minister of Culture, Moussa Moïse Sylla, said in his speech: "FENAC is a crucible of encounters and emulation between artists from the eight regions of our country."
Now what?
The FENAC is advancing at an irregular pace, about one edition every two years. The next host city is not yet known — but Koundara's message has passed: the national festival belongs to the entire country, and each region can, in turn, become Guinea's cultural capital.
Practical information
National Arts and Culture Festival (FENAC) — 20th edition · Koundara (Boké region), Guinea · December 5-7, 2025 · next edition: host city and dates to be announced
Organiser: Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Crafts of Guinea, via FODAC
— Moïse 1er, the Festival Explorer