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Who would have thought, back in the tumultous coup and counter coup days of the 1970s, that Burkina Faso would become the cultural darling of West Africa? Unlikely as it seems, Burkina Faso has become the Utah of West Africa, hosting a biennial film festival that rivals the Sundance Film Festival for cultural clout. When it's not hosting film festivals, it's busy organising its other biennial cultural festival.

The Burkinabés are descended from a long line of regal emperors who have suffered the plebeian indignities of colonialism and blackbirding, but this has only served to strengthen and preserve their cultural identity. In fact, Burkina Faso consistently produces silk linings from pigs' ears; they come from one of the poorest countries in the world, but are principally known for their don't-worry-be-happy philosophy and reputation for hospitality; they have very few natural resources, but have managed to fashion a beautiful and culturally sophisticated country out of the little that they do have.

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