Theater Blooms in the Darkest of Times as Burkina Faso's Recreatrales Festival BringsJoy and Hope
In a sea of despair, more than 4,500 theater lovers from across Africa and Europe gathered in Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso, for the 13th edition of international theater festival Recreatrales. The week-long event marked a beacon of hope amidst the security crisis that has engulfed the Sahel region.
Every day for a week, dozens of internally displaced Burkinabe men and women took to the stage to dazzle captivated audiences with their performances. They swirled, danced, and chanted for almost two hours in front of an international crowd, showcasing their resilience and passion in the face of extremist violence and human insecurity.
This year's theme, "Turning the Face to the Sun," was a testament to the human spirit's capacity for love and freedom. According to Aryestide Tarnagda, the festival's artistic director, theater is an affirmation of life over death and resistance against adversity and violence.
Despite facing censorship and intimidation from the regime, Recreatrales continued as planned, thanks to the unwavering commitment of its organizers. This year's festival saw more than 150 artists perform on multiple improvised stages constructed inside people's courtyards, with colorful lights and abstract sculptures adorning the streets.
The festival also provided a safe space for dislocated theater performers to showcase their talents, including Claude Ilboudo, who overcame the injury of his right hand at work to become a dancer. Ilboudo discovered his passion for theater during Recreatrales in 2018 and has been involved with the association since then.
The event was also an opportunity for internally displaced actors to perform on stage, processing their trauma through theatre plays. According to Odile Sankara, festival director, theater is not just a tool for therapy but also a means of giving them a voice, allowing the marginalized and isolated group in Burkinabe society to be seen by others.
Held every two years in Bougsemtenga district, where it has been home to theaters and arts since 2002, Recreatrales celebrates the country's rich cultural heritage. It runs art workshops, mentoring sessions, and business skills classes for young people from the district and across Africa.
The festival highlighted the transformative power of art in the face of adversity, providing respite and joy to those displaced by violence and oppression. Despite ongoing security concerns, Recreatrales demonstrated that, even under dire circumstances, humanity can prevail through creative expression, performance, and shared human values.