OUAGADOUGOU, The Prime Minister, Dr. Kyélem de Tambèla, has urged artists to actively engage in the nation’s ongoing struggle for security and sovereignty during his recent visit to the premises of the BBDA (Burkina Faso’s Directorate of Artists). His call emphasizes the significant role artists play in shaping societal views and inspiring national progress.
According to Burkina Information Agency, his visit to the BBDA was enlightening and filled with discoveries about the organization’s mission. He commended the BBDA’s staff for their professionalism and efficiency and underscored the importance of the arts in national development. “Your work is essential and inspiring. Your structure is a model of efficiency and professionalism,” he noted in the BBDA guestbook.
The Prime Minister’s visit coincided with the August 2024 distribution of rights to artists, which underscored the government’s recognition of the arts’ value to society. In his address to the artists, Dr. Kyélem de Tambèla emphasized the unique position artists hold in society, describing them as creators and innovators who play a pivotal role in leading societal changes and confronting national challenges.
“Artists are asked to accompany the people in their fight for security and for their sovereignty,” he stated, adding that the influence artists wield is substantial, as their creations inspire and set societal trends. The Prime Minister encouraged artists to continue being proactive and engaged in national issues, saying, “If you believe in yourselves you will succeed and the people will succeed with you. Get more involved because a committed artist lives within his own society where he draws his inspiration and his own happiness.”
The Prime Minister’s appeal highlights a vision where artists are not just entertainers but key partners in the nation’s development and guardians of its cultural and sovereign integrity.