Here is a rewritten version of the article in a neutral, professional tone, suitable for a news outlet:
Benin’s Capital Hosts Mask Festival to Showcase Cultural Heritage
A three-day festival celebrating traditional masks in Porto Novo, Benin’s capital, drew thousands of visitors from across the country and neighboring regions over the weekend. The event was initiated by the government and city authorities to promote the city’s cultural heritage and attract tourists.
The Porto Novo Mask Festival featured a variety of masks and costumed figures, including the iconic Gonouko, towering masked figures from Porto Novo, and Zangbeto, traditional Vodun guardians of the night. The rare Hounve mask was also on display, which is typically hidden from public view.
Visitors and locals alike marveled at the spectacle, with some attendees expressing excitement at seeing masks they had never had the chance to see before. Vodun dignitaries and traditional practitioners performed rituals and ceremonies during the festival, including ceremonies aimed at resolving social problems and addressing infertility.
Benin’s government has been actively promoting its cultural heritage in recent years, including revamping the country’s famous Voodoo festival in January. President Patrice Talon has emphasized the economic importance of tourism to the country’s economy, stating that Vodun is an important sector.
Ayaba Collete Dossou, a member of the national Vodun rites committee, praised the Porto Novo festival for showcasing the beauty of Benin’s culture and wealth. Porto Novo’s mayor, Charlemagne Yankoty, also commended the event, saying it has put the city in the spotlight and highlighted its cultural value.
One visitor, Frederica Nzamba, a 30-year-old with Beninese roots who had been living abroad for 16 years, attended the festival to “better discover and understand Benin’s culture.” She described the event as a “source of pride.”
The Porto Novo Mask Festival is part of a broader effort to promote Benin’s cultural heritage and attract more visitors to the country.
