Thousands attend official opening of 22nd FESPACO in Ouagadougou

OUAGADOUGOU (Burkino Faso)- Up to 45,000 people attended Saturday the official opening ceremony of the 22nd edition of Pan-African Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou (FESPACO), held at 4 August Stadium, in the presence of Burkina Faso's Prime Minister Tertius Zongo.

The opening ceremony attracts as many people every year, according to the organizers. The inaugural show, a choreography highlighting the “search for happiness of people of Burkina Faso,” performed by 300 young dancers and choreographers to the tom-tom, djembe, nguni and balafo rhythms.

The ceremony was also marked by the presence of such famous African singers like Alif Naaba, Sissao, Wendy, Floby and Toofan. A rich programme has been drawn up for this edition, including the screening of over 194 films representing 48 countries, music events and conferences on the theme of this 22nd edition “African Cinema and Markets.”