Burkina Faso: An exhibition in tribute to the soldiers
A scrap metal sculpture exhibition pays tribute to the forces engaged in the fight against terrorism in Burkina Faso
The National Museum of Burkina Faso is hosting a unique exhibition of scrap metal sculptures dedicated to the soldiers and volunteers involved in the fight against terrorism.
This artistic initiative sheds light on the daily lives of the Defense and Security Forces (FDS) and the Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDP) through combat scenes recreated from salvaged materials: fuel tanks, exhaust pipes, tires, helmets, and other discarded objects.
The creator of these works, visual artist Sahab Kouanda, explains that this project, carried out in partnership with the National Museum, aims to pay tribute to those who fight day and night to defend the nation.
Present at the opening, the Minister of Culture, Gilbert Ouédraogo, praised the expressive power of the artworks, which, according to him, “depict the current situation in Burkina Faso and provide moral support to the forces fighting on the ground.”
For over a decade, Burkina Faso has faced a jihadist insurgency that began in the north of the country and gradually spread to vast areas of the territory. In response to the deteriorating security situation, the authorities have stepped up efforts to strengthen their ability to respond.
In addition to boosting army numbers, a new initiative has been launched: the Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDP), made up of civilians enlisted to support regular forces in the hardest-hit areas. This mobilization symbolizes the collective response of a nation at war against terrorism.
