YOG Dakar 2026: Behind the scenes of the talents who brought the show to life

Behind the colorful spectacle of the opening ceremony of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games (YOG), held on October 31 at the Abdoulaye-Wade stadium in Diamniadio, is a team of professionals with complementary skills. From the direction of the ceremonies to the musical creation, including choreography, staging and artistic coordination, these talents have combined their know-how to offer the world a celebration of Senegalese culture and creativity.

Marianne Niox, a dance figure serving the 2026 YOG spectacle

Senegalese dancer, choreographer and artistic director, Marianne Niox is a figure committed to the development of contemporary dance in Senegal. A graduate of the Rosella Hightower International Dance School in Cannes, she has devoted her career to choreographic creation, training and transmission. Initiator of the international dance festival Kaay Fecc, launched in 2001, she is also at the origin of several initiatives to promote the performing arts, notably through Artea École and Artea Culture. With several decades of experience, she provided the general choreography for the opening ceremony of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games (YOG) on October 31, putting her expertise at the service of a show celebrating Senegalese culture and artistic talent.

Minuss Niang, the conductor of artistic coordination

Minuss Niang provided artistic coordination for the opening ceremony of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games (YOG), held on October 31 at the Abdoulaye-Wade stadium in Diamniadio. Behind the scenes of this major event, he played a liaison role between the different creative poles, notably artistic direction, choreography, direction and musical creation. Its mission was to harmonize the interventions of the different professionals in order to guarantee the coherence of the entire show. Coordination work essential to the realization of this collective production

Khady Niang, the conductor of the YOG ceremonies

An events and live performance professional, Khady Niang is the director of ceremonies for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games Organizing Committee (YOCOG). With nearly 17 years of experience, she has a background at the crossroads of project management, beauty and artistic creation. After studying accounting and experience in advertising and events, she turned to professional makeup, notably founding the African Makeup Academy and the African Beauty Agency. At the helm of the YOG Ceremonies Directorate, she oversaw the preparation and organization of this historic event, with the ambition of highlighting Senegalese identity and African cultural diversity.

Xalil Cissé, the Made in Senegal activist as artistic director

Designer, fashion curator and promoter of Senegalese creation, Khalil Cissé, known as Xalil, is a fervent defender of Made in Senegal. After an initial experience in the finance and humanitarian sectors, he chose to devote himself to the world of fashion and creation. Through its initiatives, notably Jaba, a market dedicated to fashion, design and local crafts, it works to promote national creators and know-how. Passionate about traditional fabrics, which he helps to bring up to date, he defends an aesthetic that combines heritage and modernity. For the opening ceremony of the YOG Dakar 2026, he provided artistic direction, helping to design a show that highlights Senegalese identity and African cultural diversity

Adama Diop, the art of bringing the show to life

Director, Adama Diop was responsible for directing the opening ceremony of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games (YOG), on October 31 at the Abdoulaye-Wade stadium in Diamniadio. Under the direction of Khady Niang, his mission was to bring the artistic vision of the show to life, by orchestrating the different scenes, transitions and interventions of the participants. His work has contributed to transforming the sports venue into a major stage for cultural expression, with the ambition of highlighting Senegalese identity and African cultural diversity.

Iss 814, the beatmaker who sets the pace for the YOG

Real name Ismaïla Talla, Iss 814 is a Senegalese beatmaker, rapper and producer from the Guédiawaye hip-hop scene. Self-taught, he gradually established himself in the world of urban cultures thanks to his musical productions and his commitment to the promotion of young talents. Winner of the best beatmaker prize at the Galsen Hip-Hop Awards in 2015, he is also the initiator of the 814 Prod collective, created to support artists and develop urban cultures in the Dakar suburbs. For the opening ceremony of the YOG Dakar 2026, he created the music, helping to give a sound identity to the different scenes of this show celebrating Senegal and Africa.

Arame NDIAYE