Mouhoun: The lanterns went out on Thursday, October 9, 2025, marking the conclusion of the Regional Culture Week (SRC) for the Bankui and Sourou regions. The event served as a platform for identifying artists, troupes, and athletes who will represent the region during the final stages of the 22nd National Culture Week (SNC), scheduled to take place in Bobo-Dioulasso from April 25 to May 2, 2026. The theme for this year’s event is “Cultures, Youth, and the Transmission of Social Values.”
According to Burkina Information Agency, the Regional Culture Week in Dedougou showcased the artistic and cultural talents of the Bankui and Sourou regions. The competition included three main categories: culinary arts, performing arts, and traditional sports. Participants displayed their skills in front of juries composed of professionals from the cultural sector.
In the culinary arts category, seven candidates competed, with four qualifying for the SNC finals. The finalists are Rosalie N. Gnoumou for heavy dishes, Naadiya Keita for light dishes, Oumar Boro for desserts, and Therese Kone for drinks. In the performing arts segment, forty troupes and artists performed, leading to the selection of nine winners to represent the region at the SNC Bobo-Dioulasso 2026.
The selected troupes and artists include the Nazouki troupe from Bale for traditional adult pool dance, the Buawadoubata troupe from Kossin for traditional instrumental music for adult pool, and the Massa group from Kossin for the star category of traditional song, among others. The Mouhoun province saw qualifications for the Polaris Company in choreographic creation, Fleur Yasmine Kone in slam, the Passakongo child development center in traditional youth pool dance, and La Lumiere de l’aube in ballet.
In traditional sports, 52 wrestlers and 4 archers qualified for the national phase. The juries provided observations and recommendations to the winners to help them improve their performance for the upcoming SNC final.
Governor Babo Pierre Bassinga of the Bankui region praised the event’s success, highlighting it as a testament to the resilience of the population amid security challenges. He emphasized the importance of culture as a foundation for building social cohesion, unity, and peace. The Bankui and Sourou Regional Culture Week concluded in a festive and fraternal atmosphere, indicating a promising future for the region’s cultural influence at SNC Bobo 2026.