EPA > Activities > Official visits

The Ecole du Patrimoine Africain – EPA (School of African Heritage), welcomed on December 10th 2004, the visit of His Excellency Mr. Horst Köhler, President of the Federal Republic of Germany and Mrs. Eva Luise Köhler, the First Lady, during their state visit to the Republic of Benin. Mr. Köhler's visit had three objectives: to know EPA and see what work is carried out there to get acquainted with Beninese art to better appreciate it to discuss with African artists and people of culture on the stakes of globalization. Nearly two hundred people from the President's delegation, national authorities, women and men of art and culture, media, witnessed the event. The debate was an important moment in the collaboration between the Federal Republic of Germany and the Republic of Benin. The theme of the debate was: "The stakes of globalization seen by artists and people of culture". Personalities from the cultural world such as Guy O. Midiohouan, Edwige Aplogan, Jérôme Carlos, Baba Keïta, Gérard Tognimassou, Anne Ambourouè Avaro, confronted their points of view on globalization to those of their German counterparts. The debates were moderated by Mr. Alain Godonou, Director of EPA. (Read Mr. Godonou's speech - in French). The exhibition which was the material and visible part of the debate brought together twenty Beninese artists famous on the national and international level. Works of Dominique Kouas, Ludovic Fadaïro, Koffi Gahou, Théodore Dakpogan, Joseph Kpobly, Edwige Aplogan, Laudamus Jules Sègbo, Adogra, Donatien Alihonou, Philippe Abayi, Dieudonné Oténia, Simonet Biokou, Paulin Zoffoun, Syl Pâris Kouton, Aston… were presented. These artists will ensure the animation of the exhibition until December 13, 2004. This brief visit, symbol of the meeting of cultures but also of a meeting with African art in its universality, gave Beninese and German people of culture the opportunity of better knowing each other in order to see the future from a new perspective.