Récréâtrales festival animates Ouagadougou’s Bougsemtenga neighbourhood

The 14th edition of the Récréâtrales theatre festival is currently transforming the Bougsemtenga neighbourhood in Ouagadougou into a vibrant cultural hub. Running from October 24 to 31, local residents are hosting performances in their courtyards and have been co-producing the festival since its inception.

Choreographer Djibril Ouattara has worked since February with women and young people from Bougsemtenga on the opening performance, Les Mouches, which explores humanity’s capacity to respond, care, and embrace beauty. Ouattara emphasizes collaboration with locals, adapting to their unique dance styles and creativity.

Agathe Serré, an amateur actress and member of the Bougsemtenga Women’s Association, has participated in the festival since 2006 and praises Ouattara’s energetic direction, noting the demanding nature of rehearsals but the rewarding outcome.

Professional actor Claude Ilboudo, known as “Gohou,” highlights the festival’s role in engaging young people in various artistic and technical roles, fostering local talent.

For one week, the Récréâtrales alleyway becomes a 550-metre-long urban stage, featuring 68 technicians and artists from 12 countries. The festival offers a diverse program including readings, youth performances, discussions, musical evenings, and theatre productions staged in family courtyards and open-air street venues.

Ouattara underscores the festival’s power in making art accessible to everyone by integrating it directly into the neighbourhood.