Ard'Afrique

ℹ️ Festival discontinued in 2015. Ard'Afrique no longer takes place: its 15th edition, from August 6 to 9, 2015, was announced and held as the last. This page is kept as an archive of the festival.

Fifteen Years of African Music in Les Vans

From 2000 to 2015, the Ard'Afrique festival transformed Les Vans, a small town of character in southern Ardèche, into the ephemeral capital of African music and cultures. Organized by the AMACS association, it took over the town center for several days each summer, in early August.

The program blended big names from the African scene and artists influenced by these musical styles: over the editions, the festival notably welcomed Touré Kunda, Alpha Blondy, Salif Keita et Les Ambassadeurs, Mory Kanté, The Skatalites, Sergent Garcia, Orange Street, and the New York Ska-Jazz Ensemble. The program combined traditions, reggae, rap, and groove.

Beyond the concerts, Ard'Afrique offered an African night market, street entertainment and shows in the heart of the town, open-air cinema screenings, and a Senegalese meal to close the event. The proceeds supported cooperation actions with Senegal carried out by the PPVS association.

The End of an Adventure

The 15th edition, from August 6 to 9, 2015, notably brought together Salif Keita with Les Ambassadeurs and Alpha Blondy for a final dance. After fifteen years of sharing, the organizers decided to put an end to the festival. No resumption has been announced since, and the festival is no longer held.