Ouagadougou: The Espoir Theater Troupe, situated in Sambin-barrage in the 4th district of Ouagadougou, successfully concluded its 6th edition of the "theater expression holiday camp" on Saturday. Over the course of 21 days, 60 children aged 5 to 15 were trained in theatrical techniques, traditional dance, choreography, and recitals to nurture the next generation of artists.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the camp, which ran from August 2 to 23, 2023, was led by Hippolyte Ouangrawa, also known as M'Ba Bouanga. The event took place at the headquarters of the Th©Stre de l'Espoir under the theme "Patriotism, a factor of social cohesion and peace." The training aimed not only to teach performance arts but also to instill values of patriotism, solidarity, and peace, crucial for a resilient and prosperous Burkina Faso.

M'Ba Bouanga, the promoter of the Theater of Hope, emphasized the importance of passing on the knowledge gained from his youth, saying, "We created this framework to restore everything we had learned since our youth, because theater invites us to communicate through bodily expression and voice." He expressed confidence that the holiday camp would continue to cultivate future leaders in theatrical disciplines.

Referring to the camp as "Bombi," meaning donkeys, Bouanga stressed the importance of children understanding their role in nation-building, which aligns with the camp's theme on patriotism, social cohesion, and peace. "Children must build Faso with smiles, joy, and determination," he added.

The patron of this year's edition, Donald Soudr©, acknowledged Bouanga's contributions to theater, stating, "It is an honor for us to accompany someone of his caliber and we are convinced that every child is a treasure for our country." He highlighted the role of parents in guiding children to embody the values necessary for national prosperity.

One of the young participants, Askiel Kambou, shared his experiences, saying he learned to dance, draw, and read during his time at the camp. He encouraged his peers to join, describing it as a relaxing place for children.

The event concluded with the presentation of certificates of thanks and recognition to the technical and financial partners who supported the Espoir Theater Troupe.