On Wednesday 20 December 2023, Casting Sud and its partners, including the mining company Iamgolg Essakane SA, presented “Les larmes des armes” (“The Tears of Arms”), a theatrical performance created to support the peace effort in Burkina Faso. The performance took place at the Prytanée Militaire du Kadiogo (PMK) for the benefit of the residents, teaching staff and staff of the Prytanée.
Georgette Paré, General Secretary of Casting Sud, said that the staging of “Les larmes des armes” was inspired by the current situation in Burkina Faso, as well as poems by His Majesty the Moogho Naaba Boango, with artistic touches by the director. She sums up that the play is a story of 02 clans that are fighting each other, while the enemy is on the sidelines, trying to infiltrate and cause chaos. For her, this performance is an artistic contribution to the effort for war and peace, and a call for dialogue.
According to Blandine Ouangré/Kaboré, Acting Country Manager of the mining company Iamgold Essakane SA, her company agreed to support Casting Sud in this performance because of the message of social cohesion it conveys, which is in line with the mine’s social responsibilities. “When Essakane was approached by Casting Sud to support this project as part of its corporate social responsibility and its awareness of social cohesion and the promotion of peace and living together, it agreed to support this process, which will help to cultivate the values of peace and living together in the minds of spectators,” notes Blandine Oaungré/Kaboré. She added that the mining company’s support consisted of subsidising 03 performances of “Les larmes des armes”.
The Canadian ambassador, Lee-Anne Hermann, said at the end of the performance that this was not the first time she had seen the play, which was made possible by funding from Canada. But she said that this performance for the benefit of PMK students and staff was a unique moment.
Captain Rodrigue Bonego, commander of the PMK student group, thanked the actors for choosing PMK for this theatrical performance. He said that the themes addressed would encourage the PMK students to work and consolidate peace in Burkina Faso. Captain Rodrigue Bonego reassured the audience that “the purpose of this performance and the themes that emerged were very enlightening and will encourage them to work towards consolidating peace”.
Tiba Kassamse OUEDRAOGO
#Mines_Actu_Burkina
