Idrissa Kafando, dit Vicky

Born in Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire, Idrissa Kafando aka Vicky is a dancer, choreographer, teacher and musician from Burkina Faso. Returning to his homeland at the age of 10, he first took up music, through which he discovered dance. Around 1995, he studied with Souleymane Porgo, a pioneering and charismatic figure in contemporary dance in Burkina Faso, at the A.T.B (Atelier Théâtre Burkinabé). In 2003, he joined his own company, Téguérer, alongside Sigué Sayouba and Adonis Nebié, and performed in all the company’s creations, while continuing his training with Seydou Boro, Serge Aimé Coulibaly, Opiyo Okach and Xavier Lot. On the death of their mentor in 2009, the three dancers took over the management of the company, which they renamed Téguérer danse, and presented the piece A suivre, choreographed by Sigué Sayouba, at the Biennale Danse l’Afrique danse in Bamako in 2010. Idrissa Kafando also took part in several of Irène Tassembedo’s creations, including Souffle (2002) and the musical Carmen Falinga Awa (2004), which toured in France.

In 2014, his meeting with Nigerian director Achirou Wages marked a turning point in his career. He became the resident choreographer of his company, Théâtre 3000, which is regularly commissioned by UNICEF to create shows for campaigns on children’s rights. He also choreographed the official independence ceremonies in the regions of Dosso, Maradi, Agadez and Tahoua. On his return to Burkina Faso, he decided to give up the stage as a dancer and devote himself to choreography and teaching. In 2020, he created his first piece: Effet miroir, a solo for dancer Kevin Charlemagne Kaboré. This was followed by 3D, in 2021, a piece on the theme of ecology, and Indifférent, in 2024, a duet for Linda Povi Amouzougan and Abdallah Hanana. He was assistant choreographer to Aguibou Sanou and Serge Aimé Coulibaly for the opening shows of the Les Récréâtrales festival in 2020 and 2022, and in 2025 he assisted choreographer Aristide Tarnagda for the opening ceremony of Fespaco, the Pan-African Film and Television Festival in Ouagadougou.

Since 2006, Idrissa Kafando has also been a singer in the group Burkina Electric, which blends electronic music with African groove. The group performs in Africa, America and Europe, and has made several international collaborations: with choreographer Karole Armitage for the creation of Summer of Love (2008), and with the Brussels Philharmonic Orchestra as part of the Ars Musica festival (2021).

Source: Document of the company, Interview with Idrissa Kafando by Anne Décoret-Ahiha, 12 December 2024, Abomey-Calavi, Benin.