aklala du Togo: March 2009

Billboard detailing the events of FESPACO located in the gallery of artists.

So we are back from the second trade show where aklala batik has participated in their promotion. It was a great time for us both and I have new hopes and aspirations for their development. There, aklala batik saw a 15% return on thier investments through sales and interest in their products. I see a world of oportunities opening up for them.

Chantal and I flashing our pearly whites

FESPACO, (the huge pan-African international film festival) was in it's 40th year. This celebration brought in many Africans as well as Foreigners from the coast of West Africa to Europe. There was also a large concentration of American Peace Corps volunteers who were posted in many of these areas. It was a great way to fully engage in exploring all the cultures represented in West Africa.
The trade show (Galerie Marchande) was held at the Maison du Peuple grounds located in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. This space is devoted to the promotion of musical events and artisan activities amongst other community venues. Its location was just a short walk from many FESPACO sites holding cinematography events including Cine Burkina, where the majority of the films were shown. Artisans, agricultural producers, and business men and women alike all gathered to try to cash out on the flux of tourist activity that FESPACO brought in.
I spent 3 days with Chantal in aklala's stand and was able to fully examine the scope of possibilities available to her through the incurred interest in their products. We pretty much bonded through the event and time spent together. There were many of my PCV friends from Togo there, and even though I did get a chance to catch an evening flick, I focused my involvement on her affairs. I was also excited to meet many new artisan friends as well as reacquaint myself with those I had previously met at SIAO in November. I am confident that aklala will continue to be a success in the future and hope to continue my work with her and many other amazingly talented artists of West Africa and beyond.

Here are some pics from the event...

An overview of the trade fair grounds

aklala's booth at FESPACO