The festival takes place along the banks of the Niger River, with stages set up so that performers can be seen both from the shore and from boats on the water. The most exciting moment is the pirogue parade - dozens of beautifully decorated wooden boats gliding along the river, painted in bright colours, carrying musicians and performers who play and sing as they move past the cheering crowds.
Every kind of Malian art appears at the festival: kora players and djembe drummers, ngoni lutes, balafon xylophones, traditional dance groups in sweeping costumes, puppet theatre, photography exhibitions and craft markets. In the evenings, the river itself seems to glow with the lights of the performances reflecting on the water.
The Festival on the Niger was created to celebrate Malian culture and bring artists together in a spirit of friendship and creativity. Local schools send children to watch performances and take part in art workshops. For many young Malians, the festival is the first time they have seen artists from other parts of their country - and the first time artists from abroad have experienced Malian culture.