Les Ballets Africains: A Longtime Love Affair with Montreal

After an absence of several years, Les Ballets Africains is making a spectacular return to Montreal. Founded in 1952, the company come back with a performance presented as part of Place des Arts’ Arts Monde serie, in collaboration with Nuits d’Afrique, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.

Lasting Ties Between Africa and Montreal

In forming Les Ballets Africains in Paris in 1952, its founder, Keïta Fodéba, dreamed of using dance to give a voice to the African continent. “In France, he brought together all the Africans of the diaspora—Cameroonians, Senegalese, Ivorians, and even young people from Guadeloupe,” recounts Mamoudou Condé. Six years later, the troupe became the national dance company of Guinea, which had just gained its independence.

The initiative proved to be a success, as these approximately 35 artists subsequently went on to perform on stages across every continent, including in 165 capital cities. But the troupe has also been an integral part of Montreal’s history, thrilling the city with the rhythms of African percussion over the years.

However, the troupe’s acrobatics, dances, and fiery spirit sparked some controversy at a time when Montreal society was more puritanical. After performances in Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Kitchener, Quebec City, and Sherbrooke, the Montreal show almost had to be cancelled in 1967. The police sought to ban the show, arguing that the dancers’ bare breasts constituted an “offense to morality.”

Yet, there is no sexual connotation to the performers’ bare breasts in Les Ballets Africains. “We were showcasing African tradition. And for us, bare breasts were part of the things we saw every day.”

The controversy strained the relationship between Montreal and the dance troupe at the time. “But I think that, since then, Montreal has recognized that it was a mistake. And we all make mistakes. In 2004, we came back and even several members of the Canadian and Quebec governments were in attendance at the venue. For us, that chapter is now closed.”

Celebrating by Building Bridges

Since its inception, Les Ballets Africains has been recognized as a voice for the peoples of the continent, spreading its cultural and artistic heritage well beyond its borders. In fact, Mamoudou Condé finds a little bit of Africa every time he comes to Montreal. “It’s a very important city for us, since Montreal has embraced Africa. When I’m here, I feel the same way I do in Africa, because the hospitality is extraordinary.”

It is in this spirit that the show, part of Nuits d’Afrique’s 40^th anniversary celebration, aims to present a 2.0 version of the Guinean troupe. “We’re fusing genres, with contemporary dance, with music… It’s a mix that truly represents today’s world,” explains Mamoudou Condé.

Lamine Touré, the founder of Nuits d’Afrique, was also a dancer and later a choreographer with Les Ballets africains. With the creation of the Festival, Touré wants to shine a spotlight on emerging artists and introduce Africa to the entire planet. “He wanted to build something unifying, like Les Ballets Africains itself,” continues Condé. “It’s as though he tied the troupe to Montreal with a cable to create what has now become the largest African festival in North America. Thanks to this event, the public can take extraordinary journeys every year, without the need for a passport or visa.”

In addition to building bridges between nations, the troupe’s return to the city brings together different generations. During the pandemic, the dance company took advantage of the hiatus in its activities to reinvent itself and revitalize its image. “By bringing in young people, we connect modernity and tradition, the older generation and the younger one.”

While audiences can expect to feast their eyes on traditional costumes and tap their feet to the sounds of Guinean instruments, they will also get to experience dance, music, and storytelling. All of this will be presented with a blend of acrobatics set to the rhythm of African percussion. The entire event is designed to energize and unite the audience around a message of hope.

“People can expect something extraordinary. We’re already prepared to give Montrealers the most powerful show of our tour. And we’re sure they’ll be there for our big return.”

The show is presented by Place des Arts in collaboration with Nuits d’Afrique as part of the Arts et monde series on February 26, 2026 at Théâtre Maisonneuve.