Culture: MCCAT Launches a Mural Project on Burkina Avenue

The Minister of Communication, Culture, Arts, and Tourism (MCCAT), Pingdwendé Gilbert OUEDRAOGO, officially launched the project to create murals on Burkina Avenue on the afternoon of Wednesday, August 12, 2026, in Ouagadougou.

Through this initiative, the Ministry of Culture aims to contribute to the beautification of Burkina Faso’s cities while highlighting the richness and diversity of the nation’s cultural heritage. For this pilot phase, Burkina Avenue will serve as the canvas for murals inspired by the cultural identities of the country’s 17 regions.

The official launch of the project was marked by a symbolic gesture from the minister and the guests in attendance, who applied the first brushstrokes. The ceremony also provided an opportunity to view some of the murals already completed along the avenue.

“We must work together to give an identity to our cities, our countryside, our towns, and even our living spaces,” declared Pingdwendé Gilbert OUEDRAOGO.

In its pilot phase, the project is led by the Burkinabé visual artist Sié PALENFO, known as Sié Decor. The work involves creating artistic designs on the walls and facades of buildings lining the avenue, over a distance of approximately 1.5 kilometers.

The project also includes the creation of a tribute wall dedicated to Pan-Africanist figures and inspiring leaders, with the aim of highlighting individuals who have left their mark on African history and the collective African imagination.

On the occasion of this launch, the minister invited Burkinabé artists to engage more deeply with public spaces and to create works that tell the story of Burkina Faso—its history, values, aspirations, and vision for the future.

Through this project, the MCCAT aims to make art a powerful tool for urban beautification, cultural enrichment, and the development of identity in living spaces.