Ouagadougou:The 18th edition of the Ouagadougou International Arts and Crafts Fair (SIAO) dedicated a day to customary and moral authorities on Monday, November 2nd, to honor their role in preserving indigenous values, national cohesion, and cultural development.

According to Burkina Information Agency, Minister of Crafts Serge Poda emphasized that this dedication is crucial for anchoring the event in native values, strengthening national unity, and promoting a spiritual and moral synergy around the event. He highlighted that the industrialization of African crafts must not occur at the expense of cultural identity, which traditional authorities protect.

The spokesperson for the traditional authorities, Ouidi Naaba, praised the fair's organization and the promotion of African crafts. He appreciated the quality of the air-conditioned booths and the strong participation of African artisans, noting that the day dedicated to traditional authorities is a mark of respect for the guardians of traditions. He expressed hope that this initiative would encourage more traditional chiefs to attend the fair.

During the event, the minister led a delegation of customary authorities to visit various exhibition spaces, including those representing the Presidency of Faso, Ghana, the guest country of honor, the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), and the Rising Sun pavilion. The traditional chiefs noted the progress in the processing of artisanal products, observing that the alliance between crafts and industry is becoming evident as many products are increasingly being industrialized.

The Ouidi Naaba also invited the public to visit SIAO to discover the artisans' products and support their craftsmanship by purchasing local items. The 18th edition of SIAO is scheduled from October 30 to November 8, 2026, under the theme "African crafts and industrialization what synergy for better organization and promotion of local products and cultural heritage."