Ouagadougou to Host First International Kinship and Joke Festival

OUAGADOUGOU – The capital city of Burkina Faso will host the inaugural International Kinship Festival and Joke Alliance (FIPAP) from May 11 to 18, 2024. The event, organized by the ‘Faso Rakiiré’ Association, aims to enhance cultural appreciation and strengthen social cohesion amid challenging security conditions in the region.

According to Burkina Information Agency, president of the organizing committee, the festival will feature a variety of activities designed to unify communities through shared cultural and sporting events. These include a shopping street dubbed ‘Rakiir raaga’, a sports competition uniting various ‘joke kinship’ communities, live performances by artists, and panel discussions. The event will also facilitate fundraising and blood donation drives to support national defense and security forces.

The festival, set to take place at the Newton field in the Wayalguin area of Ouagadougou, highlights 14 joke kinship communities. ‘Faso Rakiiré’, established in November 2022 and headquartered in Ouagadougou, focuses on promoting peace and cultural heritage as foundational elements of societal resilience and unity.