by Tony Hemrix
From February 28 to March 2, 2025, the city of Agbodrafo will vibrate to the rhythm of the Désenchaînés Festival, an extraordinary event that fuses urban cultures with ancestral African traditions. For three days, art, music, dance, and age-old rituals will blend to offer a unique spectacle—a true celebration of Togolese identity and its openness to the modern world.
An Opening Under the Sign of the Sacred and Environmental Commitment
The festival will kick off on Friday, February 28, at 7 AM with a blessing ceremony, a moment of spirituality where elders will invoke the protective forces of the earth and the ancestors to place the event under the best auspices. This ritual, deeply rooted in Vodoun traditions, will serve as a reminder of the importance of the sacred in Togolese culture.
At 8 AM, the focus shifts to civic action with a Trash Challenge, an eco-friendly initiative where festival-goers and locals will join forces to clean public spaces. This activity highlights the festival’s commitment to being a force for change, deeply anchored in the preservation and enhancement of the environment.
Sports, Arts, and Rituals: An Explosion of Creativity
The morning will be dedicated to sports, starting with a Football Gala at 9 AM, bringing together young talents and enthusiasts. At 10 AM, skateboard lovers can take part in demonstrations and workshops, while others will explore the secrets of traditional Togolese cuisine in a dedicated workshop.
At 12 PM, a true wellness village will come to life, offering massages, traditional tattoos, and body painting, artistic techniques that tell stories and symbolize belonging to a lineage or community.
The afternoon will be an immersive dive into visual and sound arts: at 2 PM, workshops on graffiti, plastic arts, and MAO (computer-assisted music) will allow festival-goers to express themselves freely.
Then, at 5 PM, the streets of Agbodrafo will transform into an open-air stage with spectacular parades: stilt walkers, storytellers, puppeteers, and musicians will turn the city into a living theater where African myths meet urban influences.
As night falls, magic will take over with film screenings and theater performances at 7 PM, before giving way to the local talent concert at 9 PM, followed by an electrifying DJ night.
Fashion, Dance, and Living Traditions
On Saturday, March 1, the sports competitions will resume at 9 AM with another Football Gala, followed by basketball, pétanque, ampé (a traditional African game), and skateboarding at 10 AM. Meanwhile, young artists will showcase their work during the slam and dance workshop performances.
At 2 PM, a major highlight of the festival will put the fusion of traditional and urban dances in the spotlight. Performances of slam, breakdance, and ballet will illustrate how African culture interacts with Hip Hop and contemporary artistic expressions.
One of the most anticipated moments of the day will be the fashion show at 5 PM, where African designers and local artisans will reimagine traditional outfits with avant-garde designs.
At 6 PM, mystical spirits will awaken with the mesmerizing appearances of the Gèlèdès and Zangbétos. These emblematic figures of the Vodoun tradition, both revered and feared, embody the connection between the living and the unseen forces.
The evening will continue with traditional dance demonstrations and breakdance battles, before culminating in a live concert at 9 PM, followed by another DJ night to close out the festivities.
A Sunday of Sharing and Nature
The final day, Sunday, March 2, will be dedicated to relaxation and reconnection with nature. At 10 AM, festival-goers will embark on canoe tours, gliding over the waters of Agbodrafo to discover the village’s breathtaking landscapes.
At 11 AM, well-being will take center stage with massages and traditional games, before a community feast at 12 PM, where everyone will enjoy the region’s iconic dishes in a spirit of conviviality.
As a tribute to the land, the festival will conclude with a tree-planting ceremony at 2 PM, a symbolic gesture that ties this cultural celebration to a long-term ecological commitment.
Finally, at 3 PM, the closing ceremony will mark the end of this unforgettable experience, leaving behind cherished memories and stronger bonds between tradition and modernity.
A One-of-a-Kind Festival
The Désenchaînés Festival is more than just an artistic event; it is a meeting point between past and future, between ancestral knowledge and new urban expressions. By merging African rituals, Hip Hop, sports, and artistic performances, Agbodrafo becomes, for one weekend, the epicenter of a proud, innovative, and vibrant Africa.
Whether you are a dance enthusiast, art lover, tradition aficionado, or simply curious, this festival promises a total immersion into a world where African culture asserts and reinvents itself. Join us in Agbodrafo from February 28 to March 2, 2025, to experience this extraordinary event!