On October 24, 2026, a statue of Thomas Sankara was officially unveiled in a park located in the third arrondissement of Rome, Italy. The statue, a 2-meter-high steel prism with a 70-centimeter width, was designed by artist Hamed Sékou Ouattara and offered by Madi Sakande. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Burkina Faso's Minister of Culture, Pingdwendé Gilbert Ouédraogo, and the country's ambassadors to Rome and the Vatican.
The park, named after Thomas Sankara since September 17, 2025, aims to bridge the geographical gap between Burkina Faso and Italy, promoting a shared sense of humanity. According to Paolo Emilio Marchionne, the president of the third arrondissement of Rome, the park's inauguration is a testament to the ideals of fraternity and dialogue between nations, as advocated by Sankara.
The ceremony was attended by several diplomatic representatives from various countries, including Mali and Niger. Burkina Faso's Ambassador to Rome, Cyrille Ganou/Badolo, expressed her gratitude to the Burkinabé authorities for providing a platform to thank the Italian authorities for choosing Thomas Sankara as the park's namesake. She emphasized that Sankara's legacy belongs to humanity, not just one country or generation.
Minister of Culture Pingdwendé Gilbert Ouédraogo highlighted the significance of the park, stating that it demonstrates the universal and timeless struggle for dignity, justice, and people's emancipation. He also launched an international fundraising campaign for the construction of a Thomas Sankara memorial, called "une brique pour SANKARA" (a brick for Sankara).
The inauguration of the park is a result of the efforts of Matteo Pietro Sante, a young Italian who contributed to mobilizing Italian authorities around this project, inspired by Sankara's commitment. The event also showcased the strong relations between Burkina Faso and Italy, including the reciprocal exemption of visas for official missions between the two countries.
The ceremony was well-attended by members of the Burkinabé diaspora and the African diaspora in Italy. The event demonstrated the growing recognition of Thomas Sankara's legacy and his ideals, which continue to inspire people worldwide. The park's inauguration is seen as a symbol of the strong friendship between Burkina Faso and Italy.
The friendship between Burkina Faso and Italy was further emphasized by the Minister of Culture, who noted that the reciprocal exemption of visas for official missions is a testament to the hospitality and solidarity between the two nations. He stressed that this friendship is in line with the ideals of Sankara, who advocated for African unity and international cooperation.
Key points
- The park's inauguration marks a significant milestone in the friendship between Burkina Faso and Italy.
- The event highlights the growing recognition of Thomas Sankara's legacy and his ideals worldwide.
- The park's namesake is a testament to the shared values of fraternity and dialogue between nations.
