Burkina Faso - November 26, 2024 An open-air contemporary art market has been running for nearly a week in Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso, connecting art with the public. The art market, named "Wekré", which means "blossoming" in the local Mooré language, has become a major annual event for visual artists from Burkina Faso and other countries of Africa, to make their artwork known to the public. Featuring art exhibitions including sculptures, paintings and photographs, the open-air market was born out of a desire to expand the industry and make it more popular with the public. Its organizer, Sanga Aboubacar, wanted to get the works and exhibitions out of halls and into the hands of the people, who often don't have access to this art. "The idea of exhibiting in the open air is to bring the visual arts closer to the Burkinabe public. Traditionally these exhibitions were held in halls, and not everyone is used to halls, so there is a reluctance to go there. And we said if we want our public to consume our work, then we have to make our art discoverable," said Aboubacar Sanga, the organizer of Wekre' Art Market. Created in 2020, the event is one of the first major gatherings of visual artists in the country, and seeks to develop a taste for art among the public. Around fifty artists from Niger, Nigeria, Togo, Benin and Cote d'Ivoire are taking part. The 5th edition opened on November 18th, and spotlights 56 artists, who have presented 93 art pieces focusing on young people's dream, drawn from this year's theme "I have a dream". Some of the artists taking part in the event for the first time, are happy to be showcasing their work. "This open-air market makes me see things differently. Through it I rethink how I create and the way I think. The exchanges I have with other artists is enriching and I encourage my fellow artists to take part in events like this," said Frank Elise Boson, an artist from Ivory Coast. The exhibition captivates many art lovers who support African visual artists. Ramata Tiemtore has visited every single edition of the market so far. She is surprised by the quality of work on display and calls for more support for African visual artists. "I invite everyone to support visual artists, whether it's a training course in Africa or in Europe, or with anything, they should not hesitate. As visitors we should be encouraging them," she said. In its efforts to grow the art scene in Burkina Faso, the art event also provides training and discussion sessions on the future of contemporary art in Africa. SHOTLIST: Burkina Faso - Recent 1. Various of visitors at open-air art market, paintings on display; 2. Various of paintings on display; 3. Various of visitors watching art works; 4. Paintings on display; 5. SOUNDBITE (French, dubbed with English) Aboubacar Sanga, organizer of Wekré art market: "The idea of exhibiting in the open air is to bring the visual arts closer to the Burkinabe public. Traditionally these exhibitions were held in halls, and not everyone is used to halls, so there is a reluctance to go there. And we said if we want our public to consume our work, then we have to make our art discoverable." ; 6. Various of artist Frank Elise Boson, art lover Ramata Tiemtoré watching art works, talking to each other; 7. SOUNDBITE (French, dubbed with English) Frank Elise Boson, artist from Ivory Coast: "This open-air market makes me see things differently. Through it I rethink how I create and the way I think. The exchanges I have with other artists is enriching and I encourage my fellow artists to take part in events like this." ; 8. Various of artist Frank Elise Boson, art lover Ramata Tiemtoré watching art works, talking to each other; 9. SOUNDBITE (French, dubbed with English) Ramata Tiemtoré, art lover from Burkina Faso: "I invite everyone to support visual artists, whether it's a training course in Africa or in Europe, or with anything, they should not hesitate. As visitors we should be encouraging them." ; 10. Artist making painting; 11. Visitors at open-air art market, paintings on display. [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]