Mali’s Cultural and Artistic Biennial gets underway in Timbuktu

The Mali Cultural and Artistic Biennial is underway in Timbuktu, showcasing artists, performers and designers from across the country.

For the first time since its creation, the Mali Cultural and Artistic Biennial, founded in the aftermath of independence, is being held in Timbuktu, in the north of the country.

One of the oldest cities on the African continent, nicknamed the ‘City of 333 Saints,’ Timbuktu is a centre of learning, spirituality and culture.

Twenty delegations from all regions of Mali are competing in five artistic disciplines.

Singer Tinazoum Cissé, known as Daïcha, represents the Taoudéni region in northern Mali, a predominantly Arabic-speaking area.

Her performance of the song “Ai Ouladna “ was warmly applauded by the audience.

“I came to the Biennale to sing and to make myself known,” Cissé says. “I chose the profession of artist to get ahead in life and to do good for my parents. I work on my art with great determination. My voice is my strength. And I want to win the Biennale prize.”

Mali’s future

Another notable voice: Awa Demba Samaké, a music lover and medical student.

She was selected to represent the district of Bamako, with a solo specially composed for the competition by musician Djimi Dramé.

“What the Biennale can say is very important for us artists,” Samaké says. “This encourages us to sing positive lyrics; we don’t sing just anything, especially not things that could disappoint our families or our country.

“I am also very proud to participate in the Biennale, because I want to be like all the famous stars who got their start through the Biennale.

“Quite simply because it is us, the children, who are the future of this country.”

By Africanews