Coinciding with the African Panorama Festival and the Quebec International Book Fair, the Burkina Faso Expo was recently held in Quebec – giving the Quebecois public unique opportunity to explore Burkina Faso culture. Burkina Faso Minister for Culture, Arts and Tourism, Mahamoudou Ouédraogo and Minister for Human Rights, Mrs. Monique Ilboudo, as well as a delegation of Burkina Faso artists were in attendance for a program of cultural workshops, screenings, forums and festivities where Burkina Faso was the star. The Quebec Minister for Culture and the Communications, Mrs. Line Beauchamp, and her Burkina Faso counterpart took part in round table discussion with representatives from both nations regarding the protection and promotion of cultural diversity and artistic expression. In addition, three workshops open to the public engaged visiting personalities in discussion on topics including, ‘Coalitions for Cultural Diversity in French Speaking Nations’ and ‘Culture in the economy and durable development of cultural industries in developing countries’. The Quebec International Book Fair also played host to a delegation of editors and authors from Burkina Faso, including Minister Ilboudo, whose work, Le mal de peau was awarded the Burkina Faso national prize. The cross-cultural initiative was made possible thanks to the collaboration of the Burkina Faso Embassy in Canada, the Minister for International relations, the Minister for Culture and Communications, the Intergovernmental Agency for French Speaking Countries, the Society for the Development of Cultural Enterprises for the African Panorama Festival and the Quebec International Book Fair. For further information in French, CLICK HERE.