Tenkodogo: The Director General of the Ouagadougou International Crafts Fair (SIAO) and Commissioner General of the Regional Crafts Fair (SARA), Eric Bassole, held a press conference in Tenkodogo on Thursday to announce the holding of the 5th edition of SARA, scheduled for October 24 to 31, 2025, at the Place de la Nation in Tenkodogo, in the Nakambe region. The 2025 edition will be held around the theme: 'Burkinabe crafts and industrialization: what contribution to national sovereignty?'
According to Burkina Information Agency, several innovations have been announced for this edition, including the implementation of the "Bolobarasso" concept, the animation of the "Burkin Riibo" space, the organization of the SARA Academy, a food donation operation, the distribution of school kits, the issuance of Burkinabe national identity cards on site, and the creation of the SARA anthem.
The planned activities include a popular cross-country race, an official opening ceremony, an exhibition and sale, a competition between artisans, a seminar on the main theme, professional meetings, as well as cultural and artistic performances.
As of October 16, 2025, the organizing committee had registered 180 exhibitors out of an expected 300, representing a participation rate of approximately 60%. Registration remains open, according to Mr. Bassole, to allow other artisans to take part in the show.
The Commissioner General reaffirmed the availability of the Ministry of Crafts and the government to support all participants to ensure good reception, exhibition, and security conditions during the show.
He thanked the national authorities for their continued support in promoting crafts, as well as the press for its contribution to media coverage and visibility of SIAO and SARA activities.
Mr. Bassole finally invited all artisans, exhibitors, and visitors to participate in SARA 2025, scheduled for October 24 to 31 at the Place de la Nation in Tenkodogo.
SARA was created to bring SIAO closer to regional artisans and offer them a low-cost exhibition and exchange framework. Since its first edition in 2017 in Bobo-Dioulasso, SARA has been held successively in Kaya in 2019, Ziniare in 2021, and Koudougou in 2023. These meetings have helped to promote local know-how and strengthen the visibility of artisans across the country.