Ouagadougou Hosts, this Thursday, November 14, 2024, the Press Conference for the Arts and Culture Awards of the Kingdom of Eswatini scheduled for December 14 in Eswatini. This major event will take place on December 14, 2024, in honor of the traditional Incwala festival, celebrated annually in Eswatini. This press conference was organized by the National Council for Arts and Culture of the Kingdom of Eswatini, in partnership with Burkinabe representatives, in order to confirm the holding of this 2024 edition and to strengthen cultural ties between Burkina Faso and Eswatini. The press conference is an initiative of the president of the AGIC GLOBA foundation, co-organizer of the cultural day of Eswatini (country).

The purpose of this press conference was to confirm the holding of the 2024 edition of the Arts and Culture Awards, a must-see event in the cultural calendar of the Kingdom of Eswatini. The six-day Incwala festival is traditionally an agricultural celebration marking the end of the harvest season. However, it also has a broader dimension, symbolizing renewal, national cohesion and the preservation of the cultural values ​​of the Swazi people. The festivities include traditional songs and dances, creating a true spectacle of living culture.

This year, the press conference was organized by videoconference, with the participation of His Excellency El Hadj Dr Ousséni BANAO Elibouy, a fervent defender of the promotion of African culture and traditions. The event made it possible to officially announce the activities planned for this edition, while emphasizing the importance of collaboration between Burkina Faso and Eswatini in the cultural field.

During this conference, El Hadj Dr Ousséni BANAO, a Burkinabe polyglot and businessman known for his commitment to African integration and the promotion of cultural exchanges, expressed his wish to strengthen ties between the two countries. The event is a unique opportunity to celebrate not only Swazi culture, but also to build strong relations between Burkina Faso and Eswatini, two nations with rich cultural heritages.

Thus, this press conference marks the beginning of preparations for a large-scale event, the impact of which promises to strengthen the place of African culture on the continent and beyond.

According to El Hadji Ousséni Banao, the holding of this press conference in Burkina Faso is a « fruit of chance ». He specifies however that the Incwala event is deeply rooted in the cultural life of the Kingdom of Eswatini. « We decided to launch a national tour to make selections. This process also includes culinary and clothing components, » he said.

He went on to point out that during his travels across four continents, he sought out partners with whom he could collaborate. « That’s how I had the opportunity to get closer to the royal families. Work, and especially good work, always pays off. »

El Hadji Ousséni Banao also spoke about the commitment of his foundation, which works for the promotion of women, local languages, and other essential cultural values ​​to preserve. « Today, it is crucial to move forward quickly, and my foundation will be actively involved in this process, » he concluded.

El Hadj Ousséni BANAO is a multilingual Burkinabe businessman and a strong advocate of Pan-Africanism. Exiled since 1987, he is known for his commitment to promoting the business environment in West Africa and for his role as a lobbyist for the development of African entrepreneurship. His efforts in promoting African culture, and particularly local traditions and arts, make him a key figure in intercultural dialogue and cooperation between African countries.

Ismael Kiekieta ✍🏼