BURKINA FASO 26 YEARS HANDICRAFT FESTIVAL:
By Mariam KANLA
The international show of Ouagadougou handicraft
From October 26 to November 4 Burkina Faso will be organizing the most important artistic and handicraft event in Africa. This is the 13th edition of a biannual handicraft eventful institution hosted in Ouagadougou to receive artistic designers and producers from all over Africa and its Diasporas. This year’s edition will be held under the theme of <<AFRICAN HANDICRAFT AND EMERGING ECONOMY>>.
According to the International Show of Ouagadougou Handicraft ( SIAO) general director, Mr. ABDOULAYE ZONGO, the 2012 edition comes with lot of innovations. These are:
The introduction of B to B space to allow direct interactions between professional buyers and craftsmen
A system of video surveillance was set up.
A fair attribution of exhibition stalls is planned on a base of first come first serve based.
Japan is the guest of honor of the 2012 edition. This festival that celebrates African art is one of the most sustaining and successful event of its kind in Africa. Since the first edition of 1986, Burkina Faso people, ECOWAS craftsmen, and professionals of handicraft from everywhere in Africa look forward to every new edition.
The high cost of transport and accommodation do not affect the participants’ steadiness and commitment. From 1,500,000 FCFA to 25,000FCFA for exhibition stalls rate and 500FCFA a ticket for the regular visitors to accede to the venue, all participants (craftsmen, organizers, visitors, caterers etc.) are preparing to take part.
