The Festival Hosotra is expanding its horizons with painting, sculpture, crafts, slam poetry, poetry, cinema and contemporary artistic practices. Long associated with painting, the artistic event, running from August 8-29, now opens its doors to multiple disciplines to foster greater creativity and cultural access. Organized with the participation of the Maison Sociale des Arts since 2023, this edition brings together nearly forty artists, both established and emerging talents.

Painting, sculpture, crafts, conceptual art, woodcut and watercolor make up the programming, which also welcomes slam poetry, poetry and cinema. Approximately 200 works, with five creations per artist, are on display. Drawing workshops, slam and poetry sessions, training on artistic biography and approach, plus live artist demonstrations complete the program. Admission is free.

This year, participant selection focused on works created between 2025 and 2026, aiming to highlight recent creation and encourage artists to continue producing. Several renowned figures participate, including Dina Rabearivelo and Jean Nirina Razafindralambo, alongside many other artists.

For Eklyps, rapper and coordinator of the Maison Sociale des Arts and event organizer, this opening reflects a commitment to cultural democratization: "Hosotra has always been driven by painting, but today we want to broaden the field and allow more disciplines and artists to reach the public." The goal is also to increase visibility for creators and promote artistic production.

Hosotra's history dates back to 1997, when artists and painters considered ways to showcase their creations. The movement took shape in 1998 on the Analakely esplanade, before experiencing various locations and changes. Dina Raparivo, Toky Andriantsilavo, Benjamin Raharijaona, Yasmine Fidimalala and Nonoh Ramaro are among the artists associated with this history.

After several evolutions, the project developed around artistic exchanges, permanent exhibitions, transmission of art crafts and public encounters. The momentum was renewed in 2023, following the Covid-19 interruption, with participation from the Maison Sociale des Arts and several associations.