« Why not make peace ! »
The 11th International Book Fair took place in Ouagadougou from December 14 to 18 2012 . As a partner of BURKINA LECTURE, an association created by writer Nikiema Ousseni and author Anicet Liliou, SEDELAN was able to participate and set up a stall to show and talk about its publications.
During the five days of the fair, our book stall attracted a great number of visitors and personalities. This was incidentally due to the fact that the themes that we had selected are relevant to the events that Burkina and the Sahel are going through at present , so « Why not make peace ? »
Young people, pupils and students were eager to meet us and discuss with us. Mr Albert Ouédraogo, Minister of Human Rights and Civil Development and Mrs Béatrice Damiba, President of the High Council of Communications, took an interest in our publications. Writers from Burkina and Ivory Coast came to see us for personal interviews. The contacts with a large number of different members of the public was a source of enrichment and inspiration to us.
The SEDELAN had a chance to make itself more widely known among the young public of Burkina Faso. The purpose of our participation was indeed fulfilled : to raise interest in the national languages, encourage the prevention and peaceful settlement of conflicts, educate for peace, create awareness of the difficulties facing the rural world and help defend it.
The experience of organising our book show at the FILO, working together in mutual support and partnership, made the outcome a success for us. Thanks to the contacts established during the Fair, our cooperation will certainly be extended to other areas.
Andreas Göpfert,
Educational officer SEDELAN