National Culture Week of Burkina Faso

Biennial cultural event in Burkina Faso
The National Culture Week of Burkina Faso, better known by its French name La Semaine Nationale de la culture (SNC), is one of the most important cultural activities of Burkina Faso. It is a biennial event which takes place every two years in Bobo Dioulasso, the second largest city in the country. National Culture Week was established to promote Burkinabé culture in Burkina Faso. It was created in 1983 to alternate with FESPACO which is a biennial African film festival organized in Burkina Faso. The thirteenth edition took place in May 2006.

The Ministry of Culture, Art and tourism handles the organization of the manifestation. Initially plans for an each year manifestation, the National Culture Week settled in Bobo Dioulasso, the second town of the country since 1990. It takes place every two years. The manifestation has three main objectives. Firstly, it allows the meeting of all Burkinabe ethnic groups and promotes Burkinabe cultural and artistic activities. Secondly, it develops a best social integration for others nationalities living in the country by creating meeting surroundings. Thirdly, it reinforces the inter African and international cooperation.

Since 1983, there have been thirteen editions of the National Culture Week.

The first edition named Ouaga 83 took place in Ouagadougou, the first town of Burkina Faso from the 20–30 December 1983. The entrants were about 2000. All of them participated at the same time to the festival and the competition.

The second edition called Gaoua 84 took place the 13–20 December 1984 in the south of the country. At the end of this Edition, some economic problems related to the periodicity of the event arisen. As a result, the organizers decided that the manifestation will take place every two years from now on in Bobo. So the following edition took place in 1986 at Bobo Dioulasso.

The National Culture Week Bobo 86 went from the 20–28 March. A big carnival with more than 500 masks participate took place. Some famous groups like the Theater Daniel SORANO of Senegal participate to the manifestation.

The fourth edition named Koudougou – Reo 88 went from the 19–26 March 1988. This edition was special. Indeed, it took place in two towns of the country : Koudougou and Reo. In addition to Burkinabe participants, 11 foreign troupes participated to the manifestation. Moreover, Burkinabe diaspora participate to the spectacle art competition.

The fifth edition: Bobo 90 took place during the week 24–31 March 1990 in Bobo Dioulasso. The theme of this edition was Culture, factor of integration. At the end of this edition, organizers decided that future editions will take place only in Bobo Dioulasso. So, until now, The National Culture Weeks take place in Bobo Dioulasso.

As a result, the Sixth edition named Bobo 90 took place the 5–12 April 1990 under the theme Culture and Democracy. This edition paid attention especially to Children well being and traditional sports.

The Seventh edition: Bobo 92, it took place the 23–30 April 1996 under the theme Support artistic and literary creation.

Also, the Eighth edition called Bobo 96 took place the 23–30 March 1996 under the theme broad cultural life participation.

So, the Ninth edition: Bobo 98 took place the 8–25 April 1998 under theme Favors and developed artistic meeting.

The Tenth edition: Bobo 98 took place the 24 March 2 April 2000 under the theme investment in Culture for the future. Ivory Coast, Benin and Mali participate to the manifestation.

The Eleventh edition: Bobo 2000 took place the 23–30 March under the theme Culture and Development. Participation of celebrities like Magic System from Ivory Coast and le Point d’Alençon from France marked this edition.

The Twelfth edition: Bobo 2002 took place the 27 March–3 April. The entrants were about 1200 Burkinabe and some foreign artists.

As for the thirteenth edition: Bobo 2006 happened from the 25 March 1 April with about 1499 entrants.

A festival part and a competition part called the National Award of Arts and literature made the National culture Week. There we can meet traditional and modern music plus dance. In addition, a great trade fair is organized during each edition.