Launch on July 12, 2025 at the Cocam Stadium in southern Cameroon in the locality of Mengong, Mvila department of the 4th Edition of the Bia so Mengong International Festival under the theme: "Beyond the borders"
in the presence of Armand Abanda Maye, Technical Advisor No. 1 at the Ministry of Arts and Culture as well as the local political and administrative elite and the many festival-goers from five friendly countries of the Central African sub-region.
Supported by The Belinga Foundation, a non-profit NGO under Cameroonian law that works in the social sector, sustainable development as well as the promotion of the culture and know-how of the peoples of the forest, the BIA So Mengong artistic and cultural event, which started this Saturday with a bang, will run from July 12 to 26, 2025.
An attitude of Professor Steve-Félix Belinga, the project leader of The Belinga Foundation
The festival, which is entering its 4th Edition this year after 03 resounding editions, is an ingenious and original idea of an elite of the locality, Professor Steve-Félix Belinga who works tirelessly for a local, national and international recognition of his lifestyles and know-how of the peoples of the forest,
including the Festival which bears the eponymous name Bia so Mengong has become the receptacle as well as a cultural meeting place of giving and receiving.
The grand parade of the opening ceremony
Like the Olympic Games, it was a special moment that allowed the various invited delegations to parade. This 4th edition did not deviate from tradition after the various speeches of the protocol ceremony to roll out the red carpet to the 05 delegations from brotherly countries: Gabon, Congo-Brazaville, Equatorial Guinea, Nigeria and the Central African Republic.
Opening Ceremony of the 4th Bia so Mengong Edition at the Cocam Stadium
A parade performed to the live music of an orchestra where the balafon, castanets, tam-tams and drums were able to harmonize finely with the trumpets and other saxophones to offer festival-goers a melodious and pleasant delight not only through the costumes but also through skilfully executed choreographies.
A 4th edition open to discovery and travel
Whether it is in the village of the Bia so Mengong International Festival where a podium has been erected for artistic performances with its many exhibition stands or to visit Armand Abanda Maye, the CT n°1 of Minac to the guest residence in the Endam district via the Cocam stadium where the Fraternity Football Tournament will be played, everything has been fine-tuned to the delight of festival-goers who will be spoilt for choice to admire, buy souvenirs and even taste the good flavors of local products.
The tourist attraction, the welcoming populations, the mobilization and even the security also bears a special cachet under the blessing of the guardians of tradition proud to see the habits and customs of the forest peoples valued.
A mouth-watering program with evenings in the village, performances by local and international artists, culinary art and beauty competitions, exhibitions-sales, presentations and training sessions as well as a conference led by high-quality academics and insiders, not to mention a football tournament and a mini-marathon among other attractions that festival-goers will be able to experience live and non-stop for 02 weeks.
Visit of the stands at the Bia so Mengong Festival village by Minac CT No. 1 Armand Abanda Maye
Encouraging local initiatives and the promotion of traditional know-how
The preservation of the cultural heritage of the peoples of the forest is therefore underway and the Bia so Mengong International Festival is present to promote its rooting beyond the divides to "Capture the soul of cultural diversity and the enhancement of" identities.
The Belinga Foundation has been carrying out this project since its official launch in 2021. He is therefore on the way to succeeding in his challenge, that of federating energies and creating the emulation of the peoples of the forest through the five pillars including art, culture, health, education and sustainable development. See you on July 26 for the apotheosis of the great closing ceremony and the prospects for the editions to come.
Bia So Mengong Festival - Where Dreams Became Reality!