Les Récréâtrales

Les Récréâtrales is a Pan-African space for theatrical writing, creation, research, and distribution. The festival is structured in 3 phases (research-development, production and distribution), and occurs every 2 years from February to November in the city of Ouagadougou, in Burkina Faso. It gathers more than 150 artists - authors, stage directors, set designers and actors - around creative residencies organised in Gounghin, within the family courtyards of Bougsemtenga, a historical working class neighbourhood in the capital of Burkina Faso. The festival promotes an open dialogue within the community and creates an opportunity for citizen involvement, recognition and empowerment. Les Récréâtrales offers short and long term benefits for the neighbourhood and the city alike; these include an important increase in tourism and in profits for local business owners, as well as the development of technical skills such as sewing, welding, and carpentry among the youth of Bougsemtenga in Gounghin. The festival gives neighbourhood families all responsibilities related to reception, ticketing and security. Furthermore, Les Récréâtrales offers short and long term benefits for the artists, as the residency programme furthers their professional development in all theatrical fields. In addition, the festival constitutes a key networking opportunity for artists, artistic directors and administrators, and is a much anticipated showcase for fresh new African talent.