Bintou Sidibé known as Bébé is a cultural operator and manager of artists and a member of the Abidjan Market for Performing Arts (MASA) with Malian artists. She is busy preparing for the next edition of the MASA scheduled for 2020 in Abidjan. She is fighting so that the maximum of Malian artists and artisans can participate in the next edition of the MASA.
What is your role in the participation of Malian artists in MASA ?
My role is to help the organizers welcoming Malian artists. My job is therefore to prepare the arrival of artists in Abidjan, their accommodation, catering, travel and communication among Malian nationals residing in Abidjan at the Embassy of Mali in Abidjan. Not to mention the press (TV, radio, newspapers) for their presence.
How is the selection of Malian artists made ?
It all depends on the quantity and the quality of the files of the artists who will apply. The applications are evaluated by the International Artistic Committee which will meet in September 2019. Afterwards, there may be some groups invited by the organizers. All we can ask artists to do is to visit the MASA website to send good applications. Mamou Daffé and Adama Traoré are the ones who participate in the technical meetings, and the selection of artists with many other professionnals in the world of culture. I facilitate the communication and their participation after the selection. The selection of artists is done in two phases: there are artists selected for In and others for Off.
Tell us a little about the MASA 2020, what will be its particularity ?
Regarding its particularity, the organizing committee, under the leadership of Professor Yacouba Konaté, is thinking. There will be innovations compared to other past editions.
Is the general director of MASA, Professor Konaté, expected in Mali ?
Professor Yacouba Konaté, Director General of MASA, is expected in Mali. It’s a professional visit. He is participating as every year in the activities of the festival on the Niger in Ségou, scheduled from 02 to 09 February 2019. He is invited by Mamou Daffé in the Contemporary Art Fair (Ségou Art 2019) for a training of cultural journalists .
What is your wish for the next MASA and the council for the selected artists ?
What makes my job difficult is that many artists do not like to apply on the Internet, in other words, apply on the festival website. Whereas now everything is on contest base; things are not like before. My message to artists and artisans is to reinvent art, to make creations, to invent, especially by making our musical instruments work, by renovating art. Lyrics in music do not matter outside, beautiful melodies and video clips are more valuable. And as for craftsmen, let’s change a little in our creations. We usually see the same product every year.
Do you have a word to conclude ?
It’s a shame but we no longer hear our authorities because they stopped participating in the MASA, to accompany our artists and artisans. At each MASA, we do not see the Minister of Culture or Tourism, or even their representatives to Malian artists and artisans. While other countries come with their artists and artisans, supporting them throughout the MASA. It is Mamou Daffé alone who is always alongside Malian artists and craftsmen, with his foundation as artistic director of MASA and director of the Festival sur le Niger. I thank him very much for his courage and his availability, and all he does for Malian artists. My wish is that many artists apply on the MASA website before 2020. I invite the Ministry of Culture, the operators and the private sector to help Malian artists and craftsmen at national and international level, to represent well The Mali.
Kassim TRAORE