We are proud to announce that two former guests of the Thami Mnyele Foundation have been awarded at the 8th Bamako Biennal of African Photography:

- Zanele Muholi won the "Prix Casa Africa"
- Guy Wouete won the "Prix OIF"

Bamako Encounters
7/11/2009-7/12/2009
Bamako, Mali.

Held every two years since 1994 based on research work conducted all over Africa, the Bamako Encounters, Biennial of African Photography seek to promote regional integration and facilitate North-South cultural exchanges by creating an international cultural centre in Bamako that testifies to the wealth and vitality of the photography produced on the continent.


The call for submissions expired on April 20th and was addressed toward all photographers and video artists on the African continent, regardless of where they reside. This year's theme is Borders.
The theme is exceedingly current while also being paradoxical in a world favoring global nomadism and the partial disappearance of borders. From natural barriers to artificial lines traced across the earth, in Africa more than elsewhere, borders and their complex realities represent current problematics and the crystallizations of processes which are political, economic, sociocultural, and at this time particularly tied up with ethnic, cultural, religious and other sorts of personal and group identifications.

The 8th edition of the Bamako Encounters, African Photography Biennial has set out to get the population of Bamako more involved in the event, explore the cross-cutting nature of disciplines and languages, and reinforce the event�s influence and notoriety on the international scene so that Bamako will in time be seen as the African capital of image. Alongside the programme of exhibitions, there will be a symposium, screenings and learning trails.

This 8th edition was introduced on July 10, 2009, at the Arles Encounters by the new
leadership team composed of Michket Krifa and Laura Serani, serving as artistic
directors, and Samuel Sidib, delegate general for the event.
Getting the general public more involved in the event is a priority for the new leadership
team. In addition to the awareness-raising work done in the schools and universities,
about ten exhibits will be shown in important places and working-class neighbourhoods of
Bamako: the National Museum, the Palace of Culture, the District Museum, and the
Institut National of Arts Gallery (INA). More over, workshops, debates, interactive
projects and screenings will provide opportunities for exchanges and discovery for artists
and professional photography from around the world.
Panafrican Exhibit, a panorama of contemporary creativity in Africa through 40
photographers from 20 African countries, along with thirteen video artists who will
question their interpretations and representations of borders.
Photography : Myriam Abdelaziz (Egypt), Arwa Abouon (Libya), Kader Attia
(Algeria-France), Abdoulaye Barry (Chad), Lilia Benzid (Tunisia), Jodi Bieber (South
Africa), Mohamed Bourouissa (Algeria-France), Mohamed Camara (Mali), Seydou Camara
(Mali), Nestor Da (Burkina Faso), Faten Gaddes (Tunisia),
Yo-Yo Gonthier (La Reunion), Uche Okpa Iroha (Nigeria), , Antony Kimani (Kenya), Majida Khattari (Morocco), Ananias Leki Dago, Armel Louzala (Congo RDC), Robert Mafuta (Centrafrique), Lebohang Mashiloane (South Africa), Baudouin Mouanda (RDC), Zanele Muholi (South Africa), Malik Nejmi (Morocco), Rana El Nemr (Egypt), Abraham Oghobase (Nigeria), Emeka Okereke (Nigeria), Ali Mohamed Osman (Sudan), Georges Osodi (Nigeria), Zak Ove (Trinidad), Fidisoa A.J. Ramanahadray (Madagascar), Zineb Sedira (Algeria), Mouna Jemal Siala (Tunisia),
Aboubacar Traore (Mali) Alain Wandimoyi (RDC), Graeme Williams (South Africa), Alastair Whitton (South Africa) Jack Beng-Thi (La Reunion), Berry Bickle (Zimbabwe), Andrew Esiebo (Nigeria), Isoje
Iyi Eweka Chou (Nigeria), Mounir Fatmi (Morocco), Amadou Kane Sy (Senegal), Bouchra Khalili (Morocco), Riason Naidoo (South Africa), Dinkies Sithole (South Africa), Guy Wouete (Cameroon) Monographic exhibits:
focus on artists and their unique visions of borders: Baudouin Mouanda, Patrizia Guerresi Maimouna, Fazal Sheikh, Hassan Hajjaj.

more info at: www.rencontres-bamako.com