As part of the 29th edition of the Pan-African Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou (FESPACO), a quintet from the Novosibirsk State Philharmonic in Russia gave a concert in Burkina Faso on Wednesday, February 26th, 2025.

« The Pan-African Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou is an event of great importance,” said Igor Alexandrovitch Martynov, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Burkina Faso.

Image above: Igor Alexandrovitch Martynov, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Burkina Faso, wants to see cultural cooperation between his country and Burkina Faso strengthened.

He went on to explain that it was in view of the scale of the event and the existing cooperation between his country and Burkina Faso that the Novosibirsk State Philharmonic quintet was invited to perform at the 29th FESPACO.

Brigadier General Célestin Simporé, Minister of National Defense and Veterans, who was invited to the concert, noted that music is very important in these difficult times. Music, he said, has always accompanied combatants in battle; it is a galvanizing factor.

“We must continue to show that we are resilient in everyday life; going to a concert or watching a film also contributes to the resilience of the Burkinabe people,” said the Minister of Defense.

Image above: Brigadier General Célestin Simporé, Minister of National Defense, explains the role of music in adversity.

Several other personalities attended the concert. These included the former Prime Minister of Burkina Faso, Me Apollinaire Kyelem de Tambèla; the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Burkina Faso, Lu Shan; and the Cuban Ambassador to Burkina Faso, Nadieska Navarro Barro.

– Dr. Mamoudou TRAORE
Senior Scientist in Soil Science at the Institute of Environment and Agricultural Research of Burkina Faso and member of the International Russophile Movement.