Laongo International Granite Sculpture Symposium set for November 2026

The 15th edition of the Laongo International Granite Sculpture Symposium is scheduled to take place from November 2 to 23, 2026, in the Laongo site within Burkina Faso. Announced by Dr. Moctar Sanfo, Secretary General of the Ministry of Communication, Culture, Arts and Tourism, the biennial event serves as a major meeting point for contemporary sculptural creation.

The symposium will feature 20 professional sculptors from Burkina Faso and various regions including Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America. The program includes a creation residency, a practical stone-carving training workshop for 15 young trainees, and an international scientific colloquium on November 10 and 11 to discuss identity and heritage.

Additionally, the event will host the ‘Village Sympo Granite’ commercial and artistic fair with approximately 40 exhibition stands. This edition is under the artistic sponsorship of Malian artist Abdoulaye Konaté and the patronage of Head of State Captain Ibrahim Traoré. The organizers aim to promote regional artistic cooperation, particularly with countries in the Confederation of Sahel States, and to enhance the economic value of local cultural actors.