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‘People will forget what you said, they’ll forget what you did, but they’ll never forget how you made them feel.’ MAYA ANGELOU
Guinea | 2024 | Murals, Theatre
“Paroles d’ailleurs”
In Boké, Guinea, actress Aminata Touré tackles the issue of gender-based violence. Together with a group of young girls and boys, she creates a performance that enables expression, reflection, and a shift in perspectives on this topic.
« Paroles d’ailleurs »
Pervasive gender-based violence
In Guinea, gender-based violence — including early and/or forced marriage, rape, female genital mutilation, and domestic violence — remains widespread. Despite efforts by the state and various NGOs, progress is slow. Limited health and social support systems further heighten vulnerability. Certain regions, such as Boké, are particularly exposed due to the lack of dedicated structures.
Artist
Aminata Touré (actress and director of MIN’ART), Mohamed Soumah (mural painter), Djamounougbe Beavoguin (scenographer and stage manager)
Aminata Touré (actress and director of MIN’ART), Mohamed Soumah (mural painter), Djamounougbe Beavoguin (scenographer and stage manager)
Partners
MIN’ART Association, CECOJE (Youth Listening and Guidance Centre), AGUIAS (Guinean Association of Social Workers), ABGEF (Family Welfare Association), AFRI@RT MULTIMEDIA
MIN’ART Association, CECOJE (Youth Listening and Guidance Centre), AGUIAS (Guinean Association of Social Workers), ABGEF (Family Welfare Association), AFRI@RT MULTIMEDIA
Participants
2,500 to 3,000 spectators; 15 girls and women involved in the creation of the performance
2,500 to 3,000 spectators; 15 girls and women involved in the creation of the performance
Agency
AFD Guinea
AFD Guinea
Sharing through theatre
4
performances of What has happened to Yarie Yansané? in schools, public spaces, and social centres
15
artistic creation workshops supporting the development of a new original performance
4
murals created in public spaces, leaving a lasting imprint of the project’s messages
Renowned actress and director Aminata Touré founded the association Min’Art, through which she has been presenting “What has happened to Yarie Yasané? since 2017. Written by playwright Tierno Monénembo, this work directly addresses the violence experienced by women throughout their lives.
In Boké, Aminata Touré performs the play several times in public spaces, schools, and social centres. Each performance is followed by an open discussion, allowing participants to share their feelings, impressions, and questions. Through these conversations, Aminata identifies around twenty young people eager to help write and stage a new performance on the theme of violence.
Workshops are then held over several weeks, offering women and men a space to share personal stories and transform them into a collective theatrical narrative. After weeks of testimony, dialogue, and creation, the new performance is presented to the same audiences as the initial play. Classmates, parents, teachers, and members of the town hall also attend. Realisation, emotion, and sometimes anger arise among spectators, whose assumptions and beliefs are challenged.
Following these meaningful encounters, graffiti artist Mohamed Soumah creates a series of murals in the schools and social centres involved in the project. Each mural’s theme is chosen by the young participants, leaving a strong visual trace of the messages they conveyed through theatre.
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