The Hosotra Festival is broadening its horizons, now encompassing painting, sculpture, crafts, slam, poetry, cinema, and contemporary artistic practices.
The Hosotra Festival is scaling up. Long associated primarily with painting, the artistic event, held from August 8 to 29, is now opening its doors to various disciplines to further promote creativity and access to culture. Organized in partnership with the Maison Sociale des Arts since 2023, this edition brings together nearly forty artists, including both established figures and young talents.
The program features painting, sculpture, crafts, conceptual art, wood engraving, and watercolor, while also embracing slam, poetry, and cinema. Approximately 200 works are on display, with five creations per artist. The program is complemented by workshops on drawing, slam, and poetry, training sessions on biography and artistic process, as well as open-air artist demonstrations. Admission is free.
This year, the selection of participants was based on works created between 2025 and 2026, reflecting a desire to highlight recent creations and encourage artists to continue producing. Several well-known figures in the field are participating, including Dina Rabearivelo and Jean Nirina Razafindralambo, alongside many others.
For Eklyps, a rapper, coordinator of the Maison Sociale des Arts, and event organizer, this expansion reflects a commitment to cultural democratization: “Hosotra has always been driven by painting, but today, we want to broaden the scope and allow more disciplines and artists to connect with the public.” The goal is also to provide better visibility for creators and foster artistic production.
The history of Hosotra dates back to 1997, when artists and painters sought ways to showcase their work. The movement took shape in 1998 on the Analakely esplanade before evolving through various locations and formats. Dina Raparivo, Toky Andriantsilavo, Benjamin Raharijaona, Yasmine Fidimalala, and Nonoh Ramaro are among the artists associated with this history.
Following several developments, the project has grown around artistic exchanges, permanent exhibitions, the transmission of craft skills, and public engagement. The momentum was revived in 2023, following the interruption caused by Covid-19, with the participation of the Maison Sociale des Arts and several associations.
Captured & Published at: 2026-08-11 06:38:33 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/08/diversite-artistique-hosotra-ouvre-ses.html