A rebuilt palace and private art: Madagascar's new cultural offering
Malagasy arts, culture and history have had a low profile for decades, but they could help to power new growth opportunities for Madagascar.
Madagascar, known as the "Eighth Continent," is renowned for its unique wildlife and spice production but is less recognized for its artistic and cultural contributions. Despite this, signs of growth in the country's art scene are emerging, with Joël Andrianomearisoa, a Malagasy artist, leading the charge. Andrianomearisoa, the first Malagasy artist to represent Madagascar at the Venice Biennale, acknowledges that the country has "forgotten" and "didn't take care" about culture, but he sees private players becoming more serious about supporting the arts.
He founded the Hakanto Contemporary, an exhibition space and arts centre in Antananarivo, which has gained traction and now attracts both Malagasy and international visitors. Additionally, the country's most significant cultural attraction, the Rova of Antananarivo, a palace that was rebuilt and officially reopened in 2020 after being destroyed in 1995, attracts around 30,000 visitors annually.
The palace, which showcases the history of Madagascar's royal family, has been restored to its original design and serves as a symbol of national unity.
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