Review of the Cultural Program at the Opera Village

### Review of the Cultural Program in Opera Village
The cultural program in Opera Village concluded last week, coinciding with the end of the school year, and offered a diverse lineup celebrating the region’s cultural diversity and creativity. The season began on October 25, 2023, with an impressive opening featuring the play “Les Voix des déplacés de guerre.” The event was accompanied by musical performances from the artist SyDyr and the slam poet Amazone.
In November, an inspiring literary café was held with the acclaimed Burkinabé author Sophie Heidi Kam. She shared her writing techniques and discussed the themes of her books with the students. This event attracted many high school students from Ziniaré and provided them with valuable insights into the world of writing.
December was dedicated to visual arts. On December 15, we inaugurated the exhibition “Transversalité,” which presented the traditional practice of scarification in a modern context. Shortly before the Christmas holidays, a group of artists who performed with animal masks wowed the audience with an impressive show called “Dodo.”
In January, renowned Cameroonian choreographer Snak Zobel Raoul brought contemporary dance to the Opera Village. His master class “Danser son rêve” offered students the opportunity to learn new dance steps and enhance their dancing skills.
A highlight in February was the training of five women from five different villages in photography. This project, titled “Œil d’Eméraude, révéler le leadership à travers l’objectif féminin,” enabled the participants to portray outstanding women from their communities. The vernissage took place on March 7, on the eve of International Women’s Day, and the photographs were subsequently exhibited in various locations.
In May, we organized an evening of storytelling with professional storyteller Toudeba Bobele and other storytellers from the region. This evening was a homage to the traditional art of storytelling, which is in danger of disappearing, and was enthusiastically received by many attendees.
The grand finale of the season was the fifth edition of the children’s film festival in June. Numerous primary schools from Ouagadougou and the Plateau Central region were invited to participate in the film screenings. In total, 617 students and 10 teachers attended the events in the Opera Village. The tradition of film screenings in the villages continued, with projections in Laongo, Ziniaré, Pousziga, and Tamissi, attracting many cinema lovers. Overall, we welcomed at least 1,400 participants during the fifth edition of KIFIFE.
As we prepare for the artistic holidays, which will take place from August 1 to 15, 2024, we look back on a successful and diverse cultural season 2023-2024. Opera Village remains a vibrant place of encounter and cultural exchange, fostering creativity and a sense of community.