LAONGO SITE

In 1988, the artists of the National Plastic Arts Committee of Burkina Faso submitted to the State Secretariat for Culture a draft international granite sculpture event on the very beautiful natural site of Laongo. Rather quickly (because the context was there, the government supported initiatives to develop the country's arts), the project was accepted. Thus, the site of the outdoor sculptures of Laongo and the Sympo Granit 89 was born, which welcomed the first 18 renowned sculptors from 13 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and America. Among the Burkinabè participants: Siriki Ky (project initiator), Goudou Sayouba Bambara, Guy Compaoré and Ali Nikiema. Following this first symposium and the creative success of its artists, other national or international symposia will follow in 1991, 1996, 1998, 2001 and 2003. This is how the site has now become a real open-air museum where high-quality, anthropomorphic, zoomorphic, figurative or abstract works, but always integrated with the natural beauty of the site, offer visitors admiration. Today, some sixty artists have spoken on the granite of Laongo, some of which have signed several works during their various entries. A pleasant and surprising visit.

The sculptures. The site is located in a vast area consisting of granite granite masses. Naturally, this natural curiosity inspired the project designers, who had both a choice material (rosé gray granite in discontinuous outcrops, as domes or boules) and a wild landscape stimulating creativity. There are two ways to visit it: either follow the circuit proposed by the guide, or stroll through his desires and stop in front of some sculptures to get explanations. For attending the symposia with the artists, the guides fully master the configuration of the places and are able to comment on the author and the characteristics of each work. A small booklet is also available at the reception.