Heritage in Focus: Enduring Attachments (Maison du Peuple, Burkina Faso)
Photographer Adrien Bitibaly documents the iconic "House of the People," whose bold design captures the optimism of the post-independence era in West Africa.
By World Monuments Fund
Adrien Bitibaly
Main entrance to la Maison du Peuple, early morning, before the merchants arrive. (2023) by Adrien BitibalyWorld Monuments Fund
La Maison du Peuple, or the House of the People, has been a geographic and historic landmark in the Ouagadougou cityscape since it was built in 1965.
Changing in function as the country has experienced political shocks, the building today is a symbol for the city's residents.
VIP box. (2023) by Adrien BitibalyWorld Monuments Fund
Everyone who lives in the capital is familiar with this architectural gem.
Auditorium inside la Maison du Peuple. (2023) by Adrien BitibalyWorld Monuments Fund
Recognizable to all, it’s a common point of reference and meeting spot.
The Wend Dabo (“God’s will”) bar in the courtyard of la Maison du Peuple.** (2023) by Adrien BitibalyWorld Monuments Fund
In order to capture the unique atmosphere of this place, I spent several months around the monument at all hours of the day and night.
I chose to highlight the social life that the area plays host to, in all its diversity: merchants, artists, workers at the site, all those who earn their living from and give life to the place.
Waitress at the Wend Dabo (“God’s will”) bar in the courtyard of la Maison du Peuple. (2023) by Adrien BitibalyWorld Monuments Fund
Everyone told me that they fervently hoped that the building would be renovated, both for their own sake and because of the emblematic nature of the site itself.
Chairs in the courtyard of la Maison du Peuple.** (2023) by Adrien BitibalyWorld Monuments Fund
While a few events are still conducted inside the building, these are increasingly uncommon due to its deterioration.
View of the area around la Maison du Peuple.* (2023) by Adrien BitibalyWorld Monuments Fund
In this body of work, I show the importance that la Maison du People continues to have for the people of Burkina Faso.
Parking lot near la Maison du Peuple.* (2023) by Adrien BitibalyWorld Monuments Fund
Maintenance worker who has been working at the site for around 40 years. (2023) by Adrien BitibalyWorld Monuments Fund
Despite its deterioration, people in the area continue to plan for its future, imagining various projects—proof of an enduring attachment to the space.
Heritage in Focus is a collaboration between World Monuments Fund (WMF) and Magnum Foundation to aid local emerging photographers in capturing historic places and their stewards. La Maison du Peuple, Burkina Faso, was included on the World Monuments Watch in 2022. Since then, WMF has worked to raise awareness of this architectural marvel while contributing to its conservation and the development of a sustainable reuse plan to ensure its future.
The photographers of Heritage in Focus were tasked with documenting the sites of the 2022 World Monuments Watch. The featured sites are Asante Traditional Buildings, Ghana (Eric Gyamfi); Garcia Pasture, USA (Tahila Moss); Heritage Buildings of Beirut, Lebanon (Elsie Haddad); Hitis of the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal (Prasiit Sthapit and Shristi Shrestha) ; Kinchela Aboriginal Boys Training Home, Australia (Tace Stevens); Lamanai, Belize (Morena Pérez Joachin); La Maison du Peuple, Burkina Faso (Adrien Bitibaly); Sumba Island, Indonesia (Fransisca Angela); Teotihuacán, Mexico (Yael Martínez); Tiretta Bazaar, India (Soumya Sankar Bose); and Yanacancha-Huaquis Cultural Landscape, Peru (Victor Zea and Diego López Calvín).
Heritage in Focus has been made possible, in part, by support from Nora McNeely Hurley and Manitou Fund; Donna Perret Rosen; Lorna B. Goodman; The Donald A. Pels Charitable Trust; and Monika McLennan.
WMF’s work at La Maison du Peuple, Burkina Faso, has been made possible, in part, by support from the David Davies and Jack Weeden Fund.
