Singular instruments, unprecedented sounds and a tribute to Malagasy creation. The opening of the first edition of the Adabolatsaka festival was marked by the vernissage of Dama's exhibition, which brings together his various creations as part of the event. The artist notably presents new instruments he specially created for Adabolatsaka, including aponga, djembes, valiha, aponga lahy, marovany and several jejo votavo. Through these creations, Dama also affirms his desire to compose his own music and make original sounds heard. Director and founder of the K'olo Disaraga center, Saraela Ramparany explains that the name Adabolatsaka refers to the fig tree. The festival concept is inspired by the fruit of the adabo which, once ripe, releases a fragrance that attracts animals in particular, before falling and producing a sound. "It is this sound that we dance to, without distinction of rhythm, because each has its own sonority," he explains. The ripe fruit produces a different sound from the green fruit, while the very ripe fruit produces yet another percussion. For the director, these different sonorities constitute the very substance of the dance presented as part of the festival. The opening continued with several variety shows. Traditional Malagasy dance was honored by the Raozy Gasy group, while the Rary company presented a slow dance, followed by Disaraga, which champions a dance inspired by traditional Malagasy style. For Saraela Ramparany, the promotion of Malagasy culture remains at the heart of Disaraga's approach. "Our training includes classical dance, modern dance and other disciplines, but when we take the stage, it is Malagasy dance that we especially put forward," he affirms.