The President of Burkina Faso, Ibrahim Traore, and Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno inaugurated the 29th edition of the FESPACO on Saturday, the Burkinabe presidency said.
During the opening ceremony, Burkina Faso's Minister of Communication, Culture, Arts, and Tourism conveyed President Traore's gratitude to Deby Itno and the Chadian delegation of over 200 artists, film professionals, and officials. The Chadian Minister of Tourism Development, Culture, and Handicrafts also expressed deep appreciation for the recognition of Chad's cultural contributions.
President Traore emphasized cinema's role in preserving Africa's cultural heritage and urged filmmakers to create narratives that authentically reflect African experiences.
Also, a tribute was held in honor of "Africa's greatest living filmmaker," Malian director Souleymane Cisse, who passed away on Wednesday. He had been scheduled to chair the jury for the Etalon de Yennenga, the festival's most prestigious award.
During his 48-hour visit to Burkina Faso, which began on Friday, Deby Itno also toured the Thomas Sankara Memorial. In the memorial’s guest book, he paid tribute to Sankara, recognizing his significant contributions to African liberation and Pan-Africanism. He emphasized the commitment of Chad and Burkina Faso to fostering strong, cooperative relations in the spirit of African unity and shared progress.
The two leaders also discussed ways to strengthen bilateral ties, and before departing for N'Djamena, the Chadian leader invited President Traore to visit Chad. He highlighted the deep historical and cultural connections between the two nations.