Burkina Faso's Minister of Communication, Culture, Arts, and Tourism, Pingdwendé Gilbert OUEDRAOGO, recently visited two prominent museums in Italy. The first stop was the National Archaeological Museum of Naples, established in 1777. The museum boasts an impressive collection of artifacts from ancient Greek, Roman, and Renaissance periods, including iconic works such as the Farnese Bull and Hercules.
The Minister's second visit was to the FAO Museum, which opened on October 16, 2025. Located at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), established in 1945, this museum serves as a tool to promote the organization's mission and vision through art and culture. The museum showcases a diverse collection of art, rare books, agricultural tools, and traditional textiles, highlighting the organization's efforts to achieve a world without hunger.
The FAO Museum also features a digital space that presents innovative practices and evolving agro-food systems through powerful images. Minister OUEDRAOGO expressed his delight in discovering a traditional Saponé hat from Burkina Faso among the FAO's collection. He pledged to increase the country's participation in the museum by contributing other emblematic objects and showcasing the expertise of Burkinabé artisans and chefs through periodic workshops.
The visits to these museums allowed Minister OUEDRAOGO to gain insight into techniques for collecting, conserving, and promoting material and immaterial heritage. He also observed the significant role of digital technology in enhancing cultural heritage. The minister was accompanied by ambassadors from the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) in Italy during his visit to the FAO Museum.
The National Archaeological Museum of Naples, with its rich collection, provided the minister with a unique opportunity to appreciate the importance of preserving cultural artifacts. The museum's vast collection includes sculptures, frescoes, and other objects that date back to ancient civilizations. This experience will likely inform the development of cultural preservation strategies in Burkina Faso.
The visits concluded with prospects for collaboration between the Italian museums and the National Museum of Burkina Faso. Minister OUEDRAOGO's exploration of these museums has opened up new avenues for cultural exchange and cooperation between Burkina Faso and Italy. The minister's delegation was able to learn from the experiences of these renowned museums and apply this knowledge to enhance Burkina Faso's cultural heritage.
Key points
- The visits aimed to strengthen cultural ties and cooperation between Burkina Faso and Italy.
- The FAO Museum serves as a platform to promote the organization's mission to achieve a world without hunger.
- The National Archaeological Museum of Naples boasts an impressive collection of artifacts from ancient Greek, Roman, and Renaissance periods.
