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Opening reception “Parent’s Clothes-Culture” on June 6! A tribute to Ghana through the fabrics and music of our elders. A rich immersion.
AMPOMAH Anna-Franklee Ama Ataa - Parent’s Clothes-Culture Exhibition description: Ama Ataa Lee, also known as Annallaw, is a multidisciplinary artist who is also professionally involved in managing and developing projects for young people and underserved audiences, in both the public and private sectors. Of French-Ghanaian origin and deeply attached to her parents’ country of origin, Ghana, she was born to a mother from Odumasi Krobo, a city known for making the famous “Krobo beads” (African glass beads), and a father from Ashanti Mampong, a city that is part of the Ashanti/Asante Kingdom (Asanteman), whose Silver Stool is considered the second most powerful stool after the Golden Stool. The Ashanti/Asante people are especially known for their warriors, both men and women, who shaped Ghana’s history. She will be pleased to present part of her exhibition entitled “Parent’s Clothes – Culture.” “Parent’s Clothes-Culture” is a tribute to the outfits and culture of our elders — whether parents, grandparents, or other older family members, whether they are still with us or long gone. Through a journey showcasing photographs of traditional Ghanaian outfits and fabrics, such as “kente,” “adinkra cloth,” “Ghana tie and dye,” or “African print / Ankara fabrics,” some of whose patterns convey messages, proverbs, ancestral wisdom, and a connection to spirituality — like the “Akyekyedee Akyi” fabric — the public will also discover popular music widely listened to in the Ashanti/Asante region, such as highlife, hiplife, asakaa music, the talking drum, adowa music, and afro-dancehall. Quotes, Akan proverbs, and various cultural objects such as an Ashanti/Asante stool or Ghanaian sandals called “Ahenema” will also be presented, along with a selection of books on Ghanaian culture made available to the public. There will be something for everyone: children and adults, Ghanaians and non-Ghanaians alike, so that everyone can better immerse themselves in the cultural richness of Ghana, with a special focus on the Ashanti region. Indeed, the Ashanti Region (or Asante Region), also called the Asante Kingdom or Asanteman, is much more than a region: its empire, its king, its flag, its proverbs, its culture, its landscapes, its music, its dishes, and its drinks make up a rich heritage that is still too little known in France. Alongside the exhibition, which will run from June 6 to the evening of July 4, an opening reception, a closing event, and two workshops will help the public better understand the artist’s work and the importance of keeping cultural legacies passed down from generation to generation alive. These events will be organized in collaboration with various speakers and artists from other cultural backgrounds, whom you will have the pleasure of meeting during the opening reception, closing event, or workshops. Special attention will be paid to exchange, dialogue, and the collaborative dimension of the proposed activities. Please note: The opening reception will be held in French, with a portion also in English. "Parent’s Clothes-Culture" is a tribute to the outfits and culture of our elders — whether parents, grandparents, or other older family members, whether they are still with us or long gone. Through a journey showcasing photographs of traditional Ghanaian outfits and fabrics, such as "kente", "adinkra cloth", "Ghana tie and dye", or "African print / Ankara fabrics" — some of whose patterns convey messages, proverbs, ancestral wisdom, and a connection to spirituality, like the "Akyekyedee Akyi" fabric —, the public will also explore popular music highly popular within the Ashanti/Asante region, such as highlife, hiplife, asakaa music, the talking drum, adowa music, or afro-dancehall. Quotes, Akan proverbs, and various cultural objects like an Ashanti/Asante stool or Ghanaian sandals called "Ahenema" will also be presented, alongside a selection of books on Ghanaian culture available to the public. There will be something for everyone: young and old, Ghanaians and non-Ghanaians alike, allowing everyone to better immerse themselves in the cultural richness of Ghana, with a special focus on the Ashanti region. Indeed, the Ashanti Region (or Asante Region), also called the Asante Kingdom or Asanteman, is much more than a region: its empire, its king, its flag, its proverbs, its culture, its landscapes, its music, its dishes, and its drinks constitute a rich heritage that is still too little known in France. Alongside the exhibition, which will run from June 6th to the evening of July 4th, an opening reception (vernissage), a closing event (finissage), and two workshops will allow the public to better understand the artist's work and the importance of preserving cultural legacies passed down from generation to generation. These events will be organized in collaboration with various speakers and artists from other cultural backgrounds, whom you will have the pleasure of meeting during the opening, closing, or workshops. Special attention will be paid to exchange, dialogue, and the collaborative nature of the proposed activities. Please note: The opening reception (vernissage) will be held in French, with a portion also conducted in English. Closing Words As the Asantes/Akans would say: “Wo kum apem a, apem bɛba,” meaning: “If you kill a thousand, a thousand more will come.” This proverb is notably linked to the Asante Kotoko football team as well as to the spirit of resistance and combativeness of the Ashanti/Asante people. “Opanyin ne mmofra hu nannten a, wosoa ne boto,” meaning: “When elders and children know how to adapt their steps to one another, the children then carry the elder’s bag.” , Concluding Words As the Asantes/Akans would say: As the Asantes/Akans would say: "Wo kum apem a, apem bɛba", meaning: "If you kill a thousand, a thousand more will come." This proverb is notably associated with the Asante Kotoko football team as well as the spirit of resilience and combativeness of the Ashanti/Asante people. "Opanyin ne mmofra hu nannten a, wosoa ne boto", meaning: "When elders and children know how to match their steps with one another, the children then carry the elder's bag." , A note from the artist: “May 2024, my birthday… But a few days later, a tragic event would change my life forever: the death of my father, nicknamed Mister Guy Yesu. A man of values, humble and deeply attached to his country of origin and to Ashanti/Asante culture. Passionate about traditional clothing — a former tailor-designer in his youth, when he was still living in Ghana before migrating to France himself — and music, this photographic exhibition and the first presentation of my choreographic creation pay tribute to him, and to everything he passed on and taught me during his lifetime. I will present this creation to you during the closing event, which will take place on July 4, in collaboration with an Ivorian painter-illustrator, a Nigerien designer, and a Senegalese tailor.” “I have always loved taking photos to preserve memories, but the loss of this loved one pushed me to bring to life a project that had continued to evolve within me: highlighting the cultural richness of traditional garments and the culture associated with them. This project offers an initial focus on the traditional clothing and culture of the Ashanti region, through an artistic direction and scenography that will allow you to immerse yourself, in a certain way, in this beautiful heritage which I hope will continue to be passed down and shared over the coming decades.” A note from the artist: " May 2024 , my birthday… But just a few days later, a tragic event would change my life forever: the passing of my father, affectionately known as Mister Guy Yesu . He was a man of great values, humble, and deeply attached to his country of origin as well as the Ashanti/Asante culture. Passionate about traditional clothing — having been a tailor and designer in his youth when he still lived in Ghana before migrating to France — and a lover of music, this photographic exhibition and the very first presentation of my choreographic creation pay tribute to him, and to everything he passed down and taught me during his lifetime. I will share this creation with you during the closing event (finissage) on July 4th , in collaboration with an Ivorian painter-illustrator, a Nigerien designer, and a Senegalese tailor." "I have always loved taking photos to preserve memories, but the loss of this cherished loved one pushed me to bring to life a project that had been evolving within me: highlighting the cultural richness of traditional garments and the culture that surrounds them . This project offers an initial focus on the traditional clothing and culture of the Ashanti region, through an artistic direction and scenography designed to immerse you, in a way, into this beautiful heritage which I hope will continue to be passed down and shared over the coming decades." Date Saturday, June 6, 2026 Time 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM Price Free Activities / Organization Ama Ataa Lee How to get there Maison de la Conversation 10-12 rue Maurice Grimaud, 75018 Paris Recommended public transport - Metro: lines 4 (Porte de Clignancourt) or 13 (Porte de Saint-Ouen) - Tram: T3B, Angélique Compoint – Porte de Montmartre stop - Bus: lines 60 and 95, René Binet stop 📸 Instagram: @iciconversation 🌐 Website: maisondelaconversation.org Date Saturday, June 6th, 2026 Time 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM Price Free Hosting / Organization Ama Ataa Lee How to get there Maison de la Conversation 10-12 rue Maurice Grimaud, 75018 Paris Recommended Public Transport - Metro: Lines 4 (Porte de Clignancourt) or 13 (Porte de Saint-Ouen) - Tram: T3B, Angélique Compoint – Porte de Montmartre stop - Bus: Lines 60 and 95, René Binet stop Instagram: @iciconversation Website: maisondelaconversation.org
Source: paris.fr — photo: Maison de la Conversation