Photographer Rijasolo has unveiled his exhibition 'Heartbeat of Africa' (Battement de Cœur d'Afrique), which chronicles the epic journey of Madagascar's national football team, the Barea, during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast. The exhibition, held in Antananarivo, showcases the team's resilience and the passionate support of their fans.
The Barea team made history by reaching the quarterfinals of AFCON 2023, held from January 13 to February 11, 2024, in Ivory Coast. Rijasolo's photographs capture key moments, including the team's victory over Ghana and their eventual loss to Tunisia in the quarterfinals.
Rijasolo, a Malagasy photographer based in France, spent weeks with the team, documenting their training, matches, and interactions with fans. The exhibition aims to highlight the unifying power of football in Africa and the pride of the Malagasy people.
The 'Heartbeat of Africa' exhibition is part of a broader project to promote African football culture. It has received support from the Malagasy Ministry of Sports and the French Institute of Madagascar.
