Highlights

The National Museum of Mali
Located near the Presidential Palace and surrounded by a huge, flowery garden, the Mali National Museum plays a crucial role in the preservation of the country's heritage as well as against the illegal trafficking of cultural goods.

Various collections of famous pieces and articles can be found in this museum, attracting more than 20,000 visitors every year. It also displays various temporary and permanent exhibits on the prehistory of Mali, such as traditional dress, musical instruments, and ritual objects associated with the many different tribes of Mali. Films and fashion shows are also held at the museum.

The Grand Mosque
Situated in the heart of the city, the Grand Mosque is one of the most well-known monuments in Africa. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988, it was built using raw materials from Arabia, and bears the traditional architectural style of the Sahel region.

Mali National Library
The mission of this public library is to serve as a depository of Mali's literary heritage, teaching, preserving and broadening the use of Malian cultural values. It also contributes to the promotion of the book in Mali by participating with the country's organisations and private and public assocations in this mission.

It holds more than 60,000 works, including a wide catalogue of books and audiovisual material.

African Photography House
This is a public establishment that represents all things scientific, cultural and technological in Mali, and is responsible for collectively promoting, collecting, preserving and distributing the photographic works of Malian artists. Its premises are located within those of the Mali National Library.

African Photography Encounters

The African Photography Encounters festival is a two-yearly showcase which has been hosted by Bamako since 1994. Many exhibitions of contemporary and retrospective photography are organised in the capital's many different cultural centres, including the National Museum, the National Library, the Modibo Keïta Memorial and the district museum. Cultural debates and films also take place throughout the city.The African Photography Encounters has served as a career launchpad for many famous African photographers, such as homegrown artist Malick Sidibé.

Bamako International Percussion Festival (Festip)
The International Percussion Festival has taken place in Bamako every year since 2004. This cultural spectacular brings together groups from many different African countries; Guniea, the Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, the Republic of the Congo and Mali have featured since the very beginning, with Senegal, Niger and Benin since 2006.

The festival receives support from the European Union and Sipal Jumbo Cube.

French Cultural Centre
The French Cultural Centre of Bamako belongs to a network of French cultural establishments that depend on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Africa and the world.

Its main purpose is to celebrate French and European culture via audiovisual productions, cinema, shows, literature and other new methods of communication, often welcoming actors, artists and lecturers. It also serves to promote the artistic, intellectual and cultural displays of Mali and its people not only in Mali but in France as well.

Some of the many activities organised by and performed in the centre include theatre, cinema, exhibitions, biennals, cultural discussions and festivals.