The 14th edition of the Ouagadougou International Dance Festival (FIDO) came to a close on Saturday, marking the end of six days of movement, reflection and artistic dialogue in Burkina Faso’s capital. Held from 24 to 29 January under the theme Partage (Sharing), the festival once again affirmed its role as a vital meeting point for African and international dance communities.
The attached video captures the spirit and energy of this year’s festival as it unfolded at the Grin des Arts Vivants, a cultural space that became a living canvas for traditional, contemporary and urban dance. Footage shows dancers commanding the stage with expressive, often deeply personal choreography, while visual artworks and informal performances spill beyond the performance area, blurring the lines between artists and audiences.
Festival founder Irene Tassembedo reflects in the video on the philosophy behind the venue and the event itself. “The Grin des Arts Vivants was born from a simple conviction: art is not a luxury, it is a necessity. It is a space where we breathe, where we become aware, and where we sometimes heal,” she says. Her words frame the festival as both an artistic showcase and a space for collective resilience.
The theme of sharing is further echoed by Philippe Bronchan, the European Union’s representative in Burkina Faso, who highlights dance as a universal language capable of creating immediate human connection. “On stage, you give something of yourself, and in the audience, people receive it; they feel it. Dance creates this direct, simple, and powerful bond between people,” he notes in the footage.
For many performers, FIDO also served as a platform for social expression and advocacy. Burkinabe dancer Clarisse Sawadogo explains that her performance was dedicated to women who are often marginalised or silenced, using movement to convey stories of pain, strength and endurance.
Audience reactions featured in the video underline the festival’s distinctive atmosphere. Festivalgoer Idrissa Kafando describes an edition defined by conviviality, where “the show didn’t happen only on stage, but also offstage”, driven by the engagement and openness of those in attendance.
This year’s FIDO brought together 27 dance companies from 13 countries, reinforcing its long-standing mission to promote African artistic diversity while encouraging cross-border dialogue. As the final performances faded, the festival’s message remained clear: even in uncertain times, art continues to offer refuge, connection and hope.
View the full video report below;
[This current affairs report item is provided as part of Broadcast Media Africa (BMA)’s mandate to keep Africa’s broadcast media audiences and stakeholders informed on]
