VaKBand, 20 years of a living carnival: a story of Martinique, the West Indian-Guyanese diaspora and the effervescence of the street! Twenty years of existence for a carnival group is no mean feat. In a demanding and often fragile associative world, where commitment is based on passion, transmission and the support of partners, lasting is already a strong act. Created in 2006, VaKBand has established itself over the years as one of Martinique's most emblematic carnival foot bands. Born in mainland France, in the heart of the West Indian diaspora, the collective very early on made the choice to take a popular, lively carnival, deeply rooted in the streets, out of the country - a carnival made by the people, for the people, unlike some carnivals that are more structured around the parade. From Bordeaux to Martinique, VaKBand has built a lasting cultural bridge between the territories. The group has taken part in numerous events and carnivals outside the island, both in France and internationally, contributing to the influence of Martinican carnival: Miami, Toronto, Montpellier, Barbados, Saint Lucia, among others. In twenty years, VaKBand has taken part in more than 15 carnivals in Martinique, and performed in over 100 parades and shows in different parts of the country. A structured, intergenerational and committed collective Today, VaKBand is a collective of almost 60 musicians, surrounded by volunteers and non-musician members, aged from 12 to 60. This generational diversity is at the heart of the group's richness and active transmission. Structured around seven commissions (artistic, logistics, material, costume, communication, travel, leisure), the association demonstrates that a popular cultural project can also be sustainable thanks to a solid, collective organization. By 2025, VaKBand had provided 69 performances, with over 30 dates already scheduled for 2026, while continuing its work in musical creation, cultural mediation and artistic animation, particularly with young audiences. 20 years: a time to remember and pass on Just a few weeks before the "jours gras", VaKBand has decided to take a step back. The year 2026 thus marks a memorial milestone with the creation of the VaKBand - 20 years exhibition, conceived as a living account of this human and cultural adventure. Through archive photos, videos, instruments, emblematic costumes, trophies, testimonials and stage objects, the exhibition retraces the group's journey: its roots, its commitments, its evolutions, but also the challenges it has taken up to keep a carnival association alive over the long term. A popular group in an everyday setting Hosted at the Rond-Point des Arts, the exhibition is deliberately set in an everyday space, accessible to all. A choice in keeping with VaKBand's DNA: to reach out to audiences, provoke curiosity and remind us that carnival culture can be experienced everywhere - in the street, in neighborhoods, and in the heart of everyday places. Monday to Saturday 09:00 - 20:00 : Sunday 08:00 - 13:00 Not a gallery or a museum, but a space dedicated to Caribbean art. Le Rond-Point des Arts, Etage du Centre Commercial Le Rond-Point, Route du Phare, Fort-de-France, 0596 61 80 50
