MansA is launching its Banque d’archives populaires: a living collection dedicated to marginalized journeys, life stories, and memories that connect France to the diverse African worlds.

The Banque d’archives populaires (Bank of Popular Archives) project starts from a simple observation: history is not only written in books; it also lives in personal memories, family stories, and everyday objects. By collecting photos, letters, passports, family films, and testimonies, the Bank brings forth a diverse, embodied memory, enriched by African migrations and their legacies in France.

Kiosks for Listening, Sharing, and Passing on Stories

Temporary kiosks will be installed in several French cities, including overseas territories in the Caribbean and Indian Ocean. These welcoming spaces are designed as places for meeting and sharing, where anyone can contribute a fragment of their story and discover those of others.

Collected documents will be digitized, archived, and added to a growing public collection. To further amplify these narratives, audiovisual content (podcasts, mini-films, etc.) and publications will be produced to connect personal experiences with collective history, giving life to this ever-evolving memory.

The Wall of Connections

At the heart of the project is an interactive artwork: the Wall of Connections. Conceived by a digital artist with the support of artificial intelligence, this participatory installation will be generated from the collected stories. Unveiled in 2026, it will create a sensitive map of connections, memories, and circulations. This piece will challenge dominant narratives and reveal an alternative story of French identities: multiple, fluid, and shared.

The Banque d’archives populaires invites everyone to participate in a collective memory. By showcasing these stories, MansA contributes to building a living heritage — made up of diverse voices, intergenerational exchanges, and mutual recognition. It is a way to celebrate African presences in France and their vital role in shaping a rich, hybrid, and ever-evolving culture.