Osaka 2025: Gabon celebrates friendship and forests on its national day

Mavikana
Jul 31
2 min read

Updated: Aug 1

On July 26, 2025, in the official Ray Garden at Expo 2025 Osaka, Gabon celebrated its national day with a powerful message of brotherhood to the Japanese people. An official ceremony marked by mutual respect was followed by a major cultural performance showcasing the majesty of the Gabonese forest and the creativity of its artists.

Gabon: an official protocol loaded with symbols

The ceremony began with the solemn performance of the Gabonese and Japanese national anthems , marking a rare moment of diplomatic communion in a prestigious setting. The two flags were raised side by side in the Ray Gardens, in the presence of a large Gabonese delegation.

Mrs. Nina Abouna , General Commissioner of Exhibitions, rigorously and elegantly supervised the entire protocol. At her side, the Vice-President of the Republic, Alexandre Barro Chambrier , representing President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, conveyed a clear message: Gabon is open, fraternal and focused on solid partnerships with Japan , particularly in the areas of forestry, green innovation and sustainable tourism.

A political word in the service of open diplomacy

In his speech, the Vice President highlighted the growing ties of esteem and cooperation between Libreville and Tokyo , reaffirming Gabon's desire to deepen economic, scientific and environmental partnerships with Japanese companies and institutions.

This message is part of the strategic vision of the President of the Republic, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema , who sees the Universal Exhibition as an opportunity to showcase Gabon's ecological and cultural potential to a demanding international audience.

An anthology show, a living homage to the forest

Following the speeches, the Ray Gardens were transformed into an open-air art stage. Orchestrated by the iconic Franck Ba'Ponga , the show offered a sensory journey through the Gabonese equatorial forest , combining music, dance, theater and acrobatics.

Several major talents from the Gabonese cultural scene joined forces with their voices and gestures to thrill the audience:

Laurianne Ekondo and her group, in a captivating performance with ancestral and futuristic accents.
The collective Les 9 Provinces de Kelola , symbol of national unity through traditional dance and percussion.
Maman Betty Nabibiga , living memory of the Fang tradition.
The Circus of Ecuador , with a spectacular staging illustrating the life and mysteries of the tropical forest.

Gabon, a living forest, a shared future

This national day has shown that Gabon does not just talk: it gives things to see, to hear, to feel . Through art, diplomacy and emotion, it has reaffirmed that its forest, far from being a simple resource, is a living cathedral, a bridge between peoples, a driving force for peace and sustainable development .