Contemporary circus festival
RICA
The Abidjan Intercultural Circus Encounters (RICA): the first contemporary circus festival in West Africa.
Since the first edition
The meeting point for contemporary circus in West Africa
RICA was born from an initiative of La Fabrique Culturelle, in partnership with the Institut français de Côte d’Ivoire, which has hosted the festival since its creation. Every year, it brings together in Abidjan companies from Côte d’Ivoire, Africa and beyond, for a week of performances, workshops, professional meetings and social outreach.
As the first contemporary circus festival in West Africa, RICA has played a key role in the professional development of artists on the continent, the birth of other circus festivals in the sub-region and the arrival of circus at leading pan-African events such as MASA (the African Performing Arts Market).
What RICA has changed
A festival that helps a whole sector grow
Companies revealed
RICA brought to light Ivoire Cirque Décalé, a committed all-women circus company that now tours across Africa.
Festivals born in the region
La Fabrique supports the creation of circus festivals in Guinea, Senegal, Burkina Faso and Nigeria. In October 2026, it was invited with Ivoire Cirque Décalé to the first edition of the National Theatre circus festival in Lagos.
Creations that travel
The meeting between French choreographer Aurélie Dauphin and Guinean artists at the 6th edition gave birth to “Fabara – Chez soi”, the 2026 creation of the company Fabara Cirk.
A professional network
Round tables, meetings between programmers and networking sessions: RICA connects African and European circus operators so that shows can travel.
A week of festival
On the programme of every edition
- Public performances by the guest companies, for families, circus lovers and professionals.
- School performances from nursery to secondary school, with exchanges between pupils and artists.
- Practical workshops: introduction to circus, movement and creation for children, young people and emerging artists.
- Professional meetings on touring, cooperation and structuring the sector.
- Social outreach with children and vulnerable audiences, such as the solidarity performance given at the paediatric oncology unit of the Mother and Child Hospital in Bingerville in 2026.
- Creation residencies with guest companies, ahead of the festival.
Our commitments
A festival built on solidarity and responsibility
Hosted by local families
Guest artists stay with families in Abidjan. The encounter continues well beyond the stage and roots the festival in neighbourhood life.
A reduced carbon footprint
Whenever possible, neighbouring delegations (Guinea, Burkina Faso) travel to Abidjan by road rather than by plane. Sets made of sustainable materials, LED lighting, open-air shows.
Gender equality
Constant attention to the place of women artists in the programme, and a board of directors made up of 6 women and 3 men.
A committed team
La Fabrique's permanent team is reinforced at each edition by a network of nearly 30 volunteers.
Review · 8th edition · March 2026
RICA 2026: “Youth and prospects: a challenge to take up”
The 8th edition placed young people at the heart of the artistic project: using circus to foster self-confidence, imagination, inclusion and living together.
Guest companies
- Tinafan — Guinea
- Bondeko — Senegal
- Nsoleh and Ivoire Cirque Décalé — Côte d’Ivoire
- Hypnotiseurs 2.0 — France
- Les Sœurs Kif-Kif — Quebec
In pictures
9th edition · 15 to 20 March 2027
RICA 2027 is on its way
The 9th edition strengthens the festival's international dimension, with artistic teams from Guinea, Senegal, Madagascar, Burkina Faso and the United States, alongside Ivorian artists. The programme is being finalised.
- From November 2026: circus workshops for first-year primary classes at the Jacques Prévert school, with the Institut français de Côte d’Ivoire.
- Ahead of the festival: creation residencies, including that of the company Zolobé from Madagascar.
- During the festival: public and school performances, workshops, social outreach and professional meetings.
Opening the doors to programmers
European programming organisations are invited to discover African companies and build tours: Circus Mania (Sweden) and La Grainerie (Toulouse, France).
With the support of
Main partner: Institut français de Côte d’Ivoire, which has provided its venue since the festival was created. With the support of the Ministry of Culture and Francophonie of Côte d’Ivoire and our media partners. The Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec supported the visit of Les Sœurs Kif-Kif in 2026.