The second edition of the Pica festival was officially opened on October 26 at Badjanani Square in Moroni, Comoros. The event was attended by Moroni Mayor Omar Mohamed, city notables, artists, and photography enthusiasts. This year's festival brings together several Comorian and foreign photographers for exhibitions, conferences, and other photography-related activities. A guided tour was conducted after the opening ceremony, taking participants through the Badjanani, Mtsangani, and Madjenini quarters to explore the various exhibition sites.
During the opening ceremony, Farouk Djamili welcomed guests, followed by Mahamoud Ali Ahmed, also known as Doudou, who presented the festival's program. Mahamoud Ali Ahmed highlighted the challenges faced by Comorian photographers, including the limited space for photojournalism in print media. He expressed concern that this limited exposure contributes to a lack of understanding of the profession and its opportunities. The absence of a dedicated photography space in Comoros was also lamented.
Mahamoud Ali Ahmed emphasized that one of the festival's objectives is to open a photography museum. He stated that this edition aims to preserve images that testify to the country's history and social realities while promoting contemporary creation. The choice of the old city as the exhibition site was made to bring the artworks closer to the public.
Farouk Djamily, co-founder of the festival and an exhibitor, supports this approach through his artistic endeavors. He advocates for open spaces, wanting photography to reach the public directly. The festival's theme, focused on cultural practices, will highlight certain traditions and scenes of life in the archipelago.
The guided tour allowed participants to discover works installed in various locations throughout the medina, from Badjanani to Mtsangani and Djuwamdji. This initiative aims to make the old city a meeting place between artists, their photographs, and visitors.
The festival organizers also recognize the importance of training and supporting young talent. They have initiated steps to establish a training module at the University of Comoros in collaboration with Réunion Island partners.
Mahamoud Ali Ahmed hopes to promote the presence of Comorian photographers on the international scene, enabling young Comorians to express themselves and export their work abroad. The second edition of Pica festival seeks to contribute to better recognition of photography in Comoros while valuing cultural practices and the archipelago's heritage.
Key points
- The Pica festival aims to open a photography museum in Comoros.
- The festival features photographers from Comoros and abroad.
- The event promotes cultural practices and the archipelago's heritage.
