Ouagadougou: The Prime Minister of Burkina Faso, Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouedraogo, participated in the opening of the 17th edition of the Air Festival in Iferouane, a town situated in northern Niger. This event marks an important occasion for cultural and tourist engagement, attended by his Nigerien counterpart, Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine, and other government officials.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the Burkinabe Minister of Culture, Pingdwende Gilbert Ouedraogo, was also present in Iferouane, an oasis town approximately 150 km from the Algerian border, located in the Agadez region. The theme of the 17th Air Festival is "Promoting domestic tourism and handicrafts, pillars of sovereignty and resilient development."
Niger's Prime Minister, Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine, emphasized the significance of the event as a cultural showcase of the Sahel, symbolizing unity, peace, and African pride, and fostering cultural and tourist cooperation between the peoples of the region. The festival is expected to draw several thousand visitors, featuring camel races, traditional dances, equestrian parades, craft exhibitions, concerts, and conferences on tourism and Saharan heritage.
Artisans specializing in Tuareg leather, metal, jewelry, and textiles are highlighted in this edition, focusing on local craftsmanship. Saturday's activities include exploring the desert and possibly spending a night in Chiriet, near the Air massif and the entrance to the Tenere desert.
Nigerien authorities aim to use the festival as a tool to rejuvenate domestic tourism, a sector affected by insecurity and declining visitor numbers in recent years. The event is also viewed as a means to stimulate economic development for the Air communities through crafts and cultural activities.
Established in the early 2000s, the Air Festival celebrates the Tuareg culture and promotes the natural and historical heritage of the Air massif, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Although the event has faced suspensions in recent years, the Iferouane oasis, over 800 km north of Niamey, continues to host the festival, symbolizing resilience and cultural continuity in the region.