Boulkiemde: The 30th edition of the Nuits Atypiques de Koudougou (NAK) was officially launched this Saturday at the festival site in sector 10, by the Minister in charge of Culture, Pingdwende Gilbert Ouedraogo. In his speech, the festival director, Koudbi Koala, recalled the journey undertaken since December 1996, paying emotional tribute to the memory of the deceased collaborators and friends who contributed to building the NAK.
According to Burkina Information Agency, he expressed his gratitude to the Saaba troupe, the project's initiators, as well as to his family for their unwavering support. He also thanked the people of Koudougou, the partners, the sponsors, and the Burkinabe government for their steadfast support over the years. Speaking on behalf of the government, the Minister of Culture, Pingdwende Gilbert Ouedraogo, praised the festival, which has become "a true crossroads of encounters, creativity, and artistic expression."
The minister emphasized the NAK's role as a benchmark in the national cultural landscape and congratulated the Beneb Nooma association for "its long-term vision and unwavering commitment." He paid tribute to its founder, Koudbi Koala, "a visionary whose determination enabled the emergence of a true cultural institution." The minister also highlighted the state's continued support for the NAK, affirming that culture remains "an essential pillar of collective resilience and a driver of national development."
He praised the relevance of the 2025 edition's theme, "Culture and the Promotion of Traditional Instruments," which aligns with the government's policy of protecting and transmitting cultural heritage. The patron, El Hadj Moussa Kouanda, represented by Professor Moussa Sanogo, emphasized the role of the NAK as a symbol of Burkinabe pride and an essential cultural event for the country, the sub-region, and beyond. He congratulated Koudbi Koala, "a tireless builder," and offered blessings for the festival's longevity, peace, social cohesion, and prosperity for Burkina Faso.
He also prayed for the Defense and Security Forces, as well as for the VDP, engaged in the struggle for the restoration of national peace. For this anniversary edition, the NAK festival is expecting more than thirty groups from Burkina Faso, Togo, Benin, and Ivory Coast. The program includes the Relev'Art Stage dedicated to young talents from November 23 to 25, the opening of the main live stage on November 26, as well as a unique village with 300 stands, a roundtable discussion on the festival's impact, and a children's area called "Kombi Zaka."
The minister declared the 30th edition open, wishing "full success to the Nuits Atypiques de Koudougou" and urging festival-goers to fully experience Burkinabe culture.