OUAGADOUGOU: The 17th edition of the Ouagadougou International Crafts Fair (SIAO) has commenced with a series of artistic and cultural performances, aiming to introduce festival-goers to the rich culture of Burkina Faso. The performances, featuring music, dance, and theater, are a core component of this biennial celebration of African crafts.

According to Burkina Information Agency, Abraham Ouesséna Abassagué, the president of the entertainment and ceremony committee and Director General of the National Center for Arts, Entertainment and Audiovisual (CENASA), emphasized the importance of these performances in providing a cultural introduction to the attendees. Speaking at an evening event on the SIAO site, he highlighted the gathering of nearly 60 renowned artists, including Smarty, Nabalm, and Miss Tanya, alongside troupes such as Relwendé and PINAL Afrique.

Mr. Abassagué pointed out that the selection of artists was made with consideration of the country’s diverse ethnic, ethnological, and cultural backgr
ounds. Artists from various regions, including the Sahel, the East, the West, the South, the Central Plateau, and the Boucle du Mouhoun, are participating in the event. Efforts have also been made to include people living with disabilities and former glories in the lineup.

Highlighting the cultural plurality of Burkina Faso, Mr. Abassagué noted the representation of artists from different religious backgrounds, including traditional religions, Catholicism, and Islam. He invited the people of Ouagadougou to visit the SIAO stands, aiming to demonstrate that Burkina Faso remains a welcoming nation despite security challenges.