Exhibition “Imprint 100”: Senegalese soft power at the heart of the Cultural Olympiads of the 2026 Youth Olympic Games

Art and sport as vehicles for peace, dialogue, and reconciliation between peoples: this is the message conveyed by the exhibition "Empreinte 100 Years: Peace through Sport and Art," inaugurated just days before the start of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games. Led by Jingshi Feng, founding president of Empreinte 100, and curated by Khalidou Kassé, the project showcases 14 artists symbolically representing the 14 regions of Senegal. Following its inaugural edition in Paris in 2024 as part of the Cultural Olympiad, the initiative aims to extend its reach to Senegal and establish a lasting international presence leading up to the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2028.

An exhibition to celebrate the diversity of Senegal

Housed at the Museum of Black Civilizations, the exhibition brings together works by 14 Senegalese artists, symbolically representing the country's 14 regions. Through diverse artistic sensibilities and expressions, the artists address key issues such as the environment, energy, youth, and the future.

For Jingshi Feng, this second edition represents a unique opportunity to showcase Senegal's rich artistic and cultural heritage, while fostering dialogue between regions and generations. The project also aims to highlight the pivotal role of sport and culture in the country's international influence through soft power . "Following the Paris 2024 Expo, during the 33rd Cultural Olympiad, we are organizing this second edition in Dakar to promote dialogue between Senegal's 14 regions, knowledge sharing, soft power , and to bring artists together," explained Jingshi Feng.

Beyond the diversity of the works exhibited, the initiative aims to make art a space for transmission, education, and encounter. It is part of a dynamic designed to promote Senegalese expertise and offer a platform for expression to creators of different generations.

The legacy of Pierre de Coubertin in the face of current conflicts

The presence of Alexandra de Navacelle de Coubertin, a fourth-generation descendant of Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the modern Olympic movement, gave a very special symbolic dimension to the event.

For her first visit to Dakar, she praised an exhibition that, in her opinion, expresses "the energy of Senegal" and allows visitors to discover artists with strong ideas about ecology and youth. "It's truly a pleasure and a wonderful surprise to come to Dakar. It's a beautiful exhibition that really reflects the energy of Senegal, with its focus on the environment and youth. I see many expressions of hope, colors, ideas, technology: it's very comprehensive," she said.

Beyond its cultural dimension, the exhibition echoes the ideal of peace inherent in Olympism. Alexandra de Navacelle de Coubertin recalled that her ancestor conceived of sport as a universal means of bringing people together and fostering mutual understanding. "Pierre de Coubertin was born in a period marked by strong nationalism and wars. He believed it was necessary to create a space for dialogue and find a common language—sport—to unite humanity," explained Alexandra de Navacelle de Coubertin.

According to her, in a contemporary international context marked by tensions and conflicts, this legacy remains entirely relevant. The organization of the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar represents a historic opportunity to bring this ideal to life on the African continent. Her message to Senegalese and African youth is unequivocal: young people are the key players in the world of tomorrow and must occupy their rightful place in society, particularly through sport, artistic creation, and civic engagement. "Youth is the future. Sport is a means of uniting, and art is a means of communication," she emphasized.

Sport and culture: two essential levers for international influence

Representing the Minister of Communication, Habibou Dia emphasized the diplomatic significance of the event. He noted that sport and culture are two essential levers of international influence and contribute to amplifying Senegal's voice on the global stage. "We firmly believe that sport and culture are two key levers of soft power , and our role is to enhance Senegal's international standing and diplomatically reposition it," he stated.

He notably emphasized that Senegal, through its ambassador to UNESCO, had submitted a resolution in favor of an Olympic truce during the Youth Olympic Games. "This perfectly aligns with the spirit of the Games: peace, culture, and sport in the service of global cohesion." The Director of Communications also welcomed the presence of Alexandra de Navacelle de Coubertin, believing that this type of gathering enhances the country's visibility and fosters a dynamic that benefits the entire continent. "Dakar is organizing, but we are organizing for all of Africa, and this exhibition symbolizes the contribution of all 14 regions of Senegal," concluded Habibou Dia.

Scheduled to run until November 15 at the Museum of Black Civilizations, the exhibition is an invitation to discover contemporary Senegalese creation and to reflect on the role of art and sport in building a more united world.