L'Abidjanaise

"L'Abidjanaise" ("The Song of Abidjan") is the national anthem of Ivory Coast, adopted under law number 60–207 on 27 July 1960. It takes the form of a lyric and very patriotic poem, invoking inspiring imagery expressing the greatness of the Ivorian soil and values such as hope, peace, dignity, and the "true brotherhood".

History


Adopted in 1960 at the country's independence, "L'Abidjanaise" remains the national anthem of Côte d'Ivoire, though the de jure capital is now Yamoussoukro, while Abidjan remains the economic capital and retains some political functions. This hymn is strongly tinged with patriotism and influenced by religion. The lyrics are from ministers Mathieu Vangah Ekra and Joachim Bony. The music was composed by abbots Pierre-Marie Coty and Pierre-Michel Pango, taking "La Marseillaise" as a model.

Between 2007 and 2009, under the leadership of Laurent Gbagbo, there was a proposal to replace "L'Abidjanaise" with a different song, "L'Ode à la Patrie" as the national anthem. This Ode was composed in 2002 after the start of the Ivorian civil war, and was selected by contest in 2003. "Ode à la Patrie" was sung by supporters of the now former head of state and broadcast on the RTI's television network instead of "L'Abidjanaise" until 2007, even though the latter remained, according to the constitution, the country's national anthem. However, the proposal was eventually dropped.