Culture | Prime Minister Arrives in Timbuktu for Closing Ceremony of Arts and Culture

Timbuktu, December 28, 2025 The Prime Minister and Minister of Territorial Administration and Decentralization, Major General Abdoulaye Maïga, arrived in Timbuktu on Sunday, December 28, 2025, at around 1:00 p.m., to preside over the closing ceremony of the Arts and Culture Biennial. Upon his arrival, the Head of Government was received by the Minister of Culture, Crafts, Hospitality, and Tourism, Mamou Daffé, alongside the regional and local authorities of Timbuktu, in a welcoming ceremony reflecting the importance of the event. The Prime Minister’s presence highlights the government’s commitment to promoting arts, culture, and tourism as key pillars of national cohesion, identity, and economic development. The Arts and Culture Biennial, which has taken place over several days, brought together artists, performers, and cultural stakeholders from across Mali and beyond, showcasing the country’s rich cultural diversity and creative heritage. This closing ceremony marks the culmination of a major cultural gathering aimed at revitalizing artistic expression, strengthening cultural exchanges, and reaffirming Timbuktu’s historic role as a center of culture and civilization. The event also carries strong symbolic significance in a context where culture is viewed as a vector of resilience, unity, and peace-building in Mali.