Burkina Faso is once again sacrificing its tradition as a welcoming land and a crossroads for major international events. While the 14th Laongo Granite Sculpture Symposium was launched last Saturday, October 12, another major meeting is looming on the horizon. Indeed, the Ouagadougou International Crafts Fair (SIAO) will open its doors on October 25, and close on November 3, 2024.
Placed on the theme: “African crafts, youth entrepreneurship and empowerment”, this event, which has established itself throughout the world, brings together as usual reflections around a very promising sector of activity and offers opportunities for business and commercial relationship opportunities. The SIAO is now part of the agenda of several creators and socio-professional organizations in the craft sector around the world.
This forum is already experiencing popularity given the number of countries registered. The 17th edition is expected to benefit from the same interest among participants, buyers and the public as the previous ones.
SIAO 2025 has the ambition to be a showcase of 700 stands where the productions of hundreds of artisans and 2000 exhibitors from around thirty countries from the five continents of the planet will be exhibited. More than 350,000 visitors and professional buyers are expected at this 17th edition. This is a godsend for demonstrating national and continental know-how in craftsmanship whose contribution to the countries’ economies is increasingly significant.
The biennial therefore serves as a boon or even a springboard to achieve good deals during and after each edition.
In addition to Burkina Faso, the organizing country, Mali and Niger, special guests, around thirty countries from various origins are expected. Dozens of national and international media have also signed up. Without forgetting that many partners have renewed their support for the organization of the Show, whose place and role in the promotion of professions and the creation of wealth are undeniable.
This excitement undoubtedly testifies that the lands of Guimbi Ouattara, Yennenga, Diaba Lompo and Liptako still remain usable. The country has on each occasion been able to provide guarantees of serenity and tranquility to all events of international significance. It strives to jealously hold its position as a destination not to be missed, to keep the palm in terms of organization and its reputation as a hospitable people.
Despite the actions, the nicknames, and all the colors that paint it on the maps, to discourage the destination Burkina Faso, the country of honest men continues to enjoy a certain confidence across the planet. The regular holding of the Pan-African Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou (FESPACO), the African Universities of Communication of Ouagadougou (UACO), the International Tourism and Hospitality Exhibition of Ouagadougou (SITHO) and the resumption of more beautiful of the National Culture Week (SNC), part of the desire of a people to remain standing, despite the harsh trials of its contemporary history. The highest authorities in the country, who have made the success of this craft biennial a real challenge, intend to pull out all the stops to meet the challenges. All that remains is for the Burkinabè public to once again respond to this high mass of African craftsmanship.
By Assetou BADOH