For several years, thanks to the photography museum, Facebook users have been able to appreciate rare black-and-white photographs taken in Madagascar between the 1860s and 1960s. Each post never fails to delight followers who discover fascinating new insights, including intriguing anecdotes about the country's history. Since February 2018, the public has been able to admire the photographs in a physical museum located in the Upper Town.

A virtual museum materialized into a physical space

The photography museum was initially a virtual museum, created in 2013 to celebrate Madagascar's photographic heritage. This project emerged from the initiative of Helihanta Rajaonarison, a history professor, and Cédric Donck, a Belgian philanthropist born in Madagascar. 3,000 photographs spanning from the royal era to independence were made available to the public on a Facebook page and website. However, the founders aspired to create a physical museum to allow visitors to experience the photographs firsthand. Eventually, the physical museum took shape largely thanks to the efforts of Tamara Teissedre-Philip, a key project member and permanent representative of the Île-de-France region in Madagascar.

Vintage and contemporary photographs captured by locals

The photography museum displays rare and invaluable images sourced from old trunks belonging to Malagasy families and French families who lived in Madagascar. These photographic treasures dating from the royal period are owned by descendants of 19th-century dignitaries or housed in Madagascar's National Archives. As for photographs from the colonial era, they come from the archives of families of great Malagasy photographers and collectors of various nationalities, notably Michel Pain. Some photographs from this period also originate from the National Archives. The Department of History at the University of Antananarivo, various associations, and private individuals have all contributed to building the museum's photographic database. Since these photographs are extremely precious to their owners, they have been digitized so the public can enjoy them. Beyond these black-and-white images, color photographs also comprise the museum's photographic collection. They offer glimpses of the city of Antananarivo and life as it once was.

A historic venue for discovering history and research materials

Located in the former Mayors' residence at Anjohy in the Upper Town, the photography museum of Madagascar officially opened its doors on February 15, 2018. The building itself is historic, embodying the characteristic Antananarivo architecture of the mid-19th century. The exhibitions cater to all types of visitors, particularly students and researchers wishing to use the photographic documents in their studies or academic work. In four screening rooms within the museum, vintage photographs are presented as thematic films, available in three languages (Malagasy, French, and English). Two films are dedicated to the history of photography in Madagascar, while two others showcase Madagascar's major cities. A spacious traditional exhibition gallery provides an overview of the architectural evolution of Antananarivo's Upper Town through approximately twenty photographs. The museum's garden serves as an exhibition space for amateur and contemporary photographers. Every six months, the museum's exhibitions and films are refreshed.

Please note that the Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and is closed on Mondays. Facebook: photography museum