On the occasion of the 21st edition of the International Arts and Culture Festival organized in Kaffrine, from December 24 to 27, 2025, the artist Baba Sy, president of the Dipal Ma Diap association, launched a strong appeal to the authorities for the realization of a modern regional cultural complex.

"Through this festival which brings us together for three days, I am appealing to the relevant authorities: the Kaffrine region truly deserves a state-of-the-art regional cultural complex, equipped with all the necessary amenities for the promotion of culture and the flourishing of artists," pleaded the initiator of the event.

According to him, "this cry from the heart is an old one, and if Kaffrine has such a complex, it will truly change the cultural face of the region, because here there is talent and initiative."

This advocacy aligns with the festival's vision, which aims to reposition cultural actors within the development process. This year's theme, "The Role of the Artist in the Country's Development," questions the often limited role given to artists.

“Artists are often called upon for awareness campaigns or caravans. Why are we only used for these kinds of activities? It is time to have a different approach to cultural actors,” said Baba Sy.

The 21st edition of the festival began on December 24th with a training session for artists, highlighting the organizers' commitment to capacity building, particularly among young people. "Through this festival, we are focusing on our young brothers and sisters in the arts to enable them to acquire new knowledge in the cultural sphere," he explained.

Each year, the festival offers "a very diverse cultural program that touches on several aspects of Senegalese culture, particularly that of Ndoucoumane".

Through this diversity, the objective is clear: "To promote Kaffrine's culture and to make it known that Kaffrine also has its own culture," the artist recalled.

For four days, the Kaffrine International Arts and Culture Festival aims to be both a space for promoting local heritage, training emerging talents and mobilizing for structuring cultural infrastructures, essential for the cultural development of the region.