Final Preparations for National Culture Week Show Promise of Success
BOBO-DIOULASSO — In the bustling city of Bobo-Dioulasso, preparations for the 21st edition of the National Culture Week (SNC), a highly anticipated biennial cultural festival, are in full swing, with Minister of State, Minister of Communication, Culture, Arts and Tourism, Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo, personally overseeing the progress. On Friday, April 5, 2024, Ouédraogo made a detailed inspection of the facilities set to host the event from April 27 to May 4, underscoring the government’s commitment to ensuring its success.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the inspection tour included several key venues in the town of Sya, such as the SNC headquarters, the National Institute for the Training of Teaching Personnel (INFPE), the Abel Sanou Center (CAS), and the Catholic Organization for Development and Solidarity (OCADES). These sites, apart from the SNC headquarters, will provide accommodation for the festival-goers, highlighting the significance of lodging as a critical aspect of the event’s organization.
Nearly 1,500 artists and troupes are expected to descend on Bobo-Dioulasso for this cultural showcase, with Ouédraogo expressing satisfaction with the preparations thus far. “Everywhere we went, we truly felt that the site managers took an interest and paid attention to the rooms that will accommodate the artists,” he stated, emphasizing the efforts to ensure a minimum standard of comfort for participants.
The minister reassured that the organizing committee is diligently working to finalize all arrangements before the arrival of the artists. He highlighted that within a week, the exhibition stands at the SNC site would be completed, reflecting the satisfactory pace of the ongoing work. “We are leaving reassured by this visit to the SNC headquarters and accommodation sites, reassuring ourselves that three weeks from now we are in the right rhythm to welcome festival-goers,” Ouédraogo remarked, noting that some additional work, such as sanitation, plumbing, and lighting, remains to be addressed.
The INFPE, designated to host the majority of the artists, was chosen for its proximity to the Maison de la culture, facilitating easy access for the participants. Christiane Sanon, the general director of the SNC, elaborated on the strategic choice of this venue to enable main actors to be closer to the event’s central activities. Additionally, the OCADES site will accommodate artists from the Malian and Ivorian diaspora, ensuring a diverse representation of cultural expressions.
With the final countdown underway, the enthusiasm for the 21st edition of the SNC in Bobo-Dioulasso is palpable, with organizers and government officials confident of providing a memorable experience for artists and attendees alike.