Ouagadougou – Following the diplomatic and military cooperation announced at the last Russia-Africa Forum in Saint Petersburg three months ago, Burkina Faso and Russia are now extending their partnership to encompass cultural and humanitarian cooperation. Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo, the spokesperson for the government of Burkina Faso and the Minister of Communication, Culture, Arts, and Tourism, discussed these developments with TASS this Saturday.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the primary challenge for Burkina Faso and Russia is to ensure that their strategic, diplomatic, and military cooperation evolves into a broader people-to-people interaction. He emphasized that his presence and engagements in Russia are a significant step towards fostering this interpersonal cooperation. “It is cooperation of people,” he remarked, highlighting the importance of cultural and humanitarian ties in the bilateral relationship.
Ouédraogo spoke about his productive discussions and meetings in Russia, which signal a promising future for cultural and artistic exchanges between the two nations. He stressed the need for mutual understanding and appreciation, advocating for the Russian people to gain more knowledge about Burkina Faso – a country he described as beautiful, diverse, and culturally rich. Similarly, he pointed out the necessity for the Burkinabe people to become more familiar with Russian culture and history, which he feels is not sufficiently known in Africa.
The minister reflected on his interactions with cultural actors and formal discussions with his counterpart, the Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation. He expressed optimism about the outcomes of these engagements, concluding that the talks were very fruitful and indicative of a positive trajectory in improving cultural and humanitarian ties between Burkina Faso and Russia.
This development marks a significant enhancement in the relationship between the two countries, moving beyond strategic collaborations to embrace cultural and people-centered connections, a move that is expected to enrich the bilateral relations significantly.
