Ouagadougou: The Isidore Noël Thomas Sankara Memorial Infrastructure Construction Project announced a campaign to collect archives and artifacts from the August 1983 revolution, scheduled from December 1 to 31, 2024. This initiative aims to gather documents, objects, testimonies, and memories on a national and international scale.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the project’s president, Étienne Lompo, outlined three primary objectives during a press conference. The first is to preserve Burkina Faso’s history by collecting archives and artifacts to enhance the archives services, libraries, and specifically the House of Memories and the digital library, which are integral parts of the memorial construction project.
The second goal is educational, aiming to inform future generations about the struggles and sacrifices that have shaped Burkina Faso’s history. By collecting these historical documents and objects, the project seeks to pass on this knowledge to younger generations.
Lastly, the initiative
seeks to promote social dialogue. Étienne Lompo noted that the revolution was a time of both innovation and conflict. “By inviting everyone to share their memories and experiences, we wish to encourage an inclusive dialogue around our common history, thus strengthening our social cohesion,” he emphasized.
The campaign will be executed in collaboration with the International Committee of the Thomas Sankara Memorial and will be overseen by the Ministry of Communication, Culture, Arts, and Tourism. A budget of 15 million FCFA has been allocated for travel and media coverage related to the campaign.
Retired Colonel-Major Daouda Traoré, president of the International Committee of the Thomas Sankara Memorial, praised the initiative. “After several attempts to destroy archives related to President Thomas Sankara, this project comes at the right time to safeguard the memory of the father of the August 1983 revolution,” he remarked. He also mentioned that similar campaigns will be conducted twice annually.
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Thomas Sankara, who led Upper Volta from August 4, 1983, renamed the country Burkina Faso on August 4, 1984. He was assassinated on October 15, 1987. In recognition of his significant contributions, he was declared a Hero of the Nation during a Council of Ministers session on October 4, 2023.