After the initial publication organised at the beginning of the year, the 2025 Vodun Days will be held on January 9, 10 and 11 with significant innovations and with the same enthusiasm, promoting the intangible Vodun cultural heritage. This dynamic is fully in line with the government’s noble vision of making Benin a leading tourist destination.
And this is what will be remembered from the press conference held today, Monday, 23 December 2024, by Minister of Tourism, Culture and Arts Babalola Jean-Michel H. ABIMBOLA, in Ouidah. With him were the City’s Mayor and the Directors General of the agencies Benin Tourism and ADAC.
At the very start, the Mayor of Ouidah had the honour of quoting from the initial publication. Using precise figures, Christian M. Houétchénou pointed out the impacts of Vodun Days 2024 on the economic and cultural development of his City. He proudly presented all the benefits of the local development and tourist influences in the historic city of Ouidah, hiding nothing.
In his opening sentences, Minister Abimbola spoke to the audience about the government's vision for tourism, art and culture. In front of the kings, crowned heads, wise men and people of note of Ouidah, as well as administrative executives, city councillors and other local people involved in the organisation, the Minister recalled the Government's objective through this concept, which has exceeded all expectations with its success. The aim is to create a major event that draws the world's attention to this intangible heritage in order to enhance it and promote Benin as a major tourist destination.
He also explained the criteria that justify the various choices made last year. These ranged from the name “Vodun Days” to the invited international national artists passing through Ouidah, the animation centres and the artistic programming. "The Vodun Days are in Ouidah but not only for Ouidah (...) they're for all the regions", he declared, announcing that several deities from the Northern regions will be honoured in the 2025 edition.
According to his words, Vodun is something that only Benin can bring to the world. The Minister was supported in his speech by Sindé Tchekete, Director General of the Beninese Tourism Development Agency, which is responsible for rolling out the entire communication and marketing strategy as part of the process of opening up the Vodun Days to tourists. William Hervé Codjo, Director General of the Agency for the Development of Arts and Cultures, is also actively involved with the artistic programme.
A question-and-answer session led to interaction between speakers and journalists to address any concerns that they might have.