"The expo is aimed at helping our citizens better understand African culture and gain a more positive perception of the continent, " said Andrew Chang, director-general of the MOFA's Department of African Affairs, at a regular press briefing.

Noting that the Foreign Ministry held a similar event six years ago, Chang said the exhibition, titled“Fascinating Africa: Handicraft Expo 2009,”will be held May 23-31 at The Mall next to Far Eastern Formosa Plaza Hotel in downtown Taipei.

Foreign Minister Francisco H.L. Ou and Filippe Savadogo, culture and tourism minister of Burkina Faso, will attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony to open the exhibition, he added.

More than 2,000 handicrafts, including traditional African music instruments, batik, wooden and bronze sculptures from Burkina Faso, Gambia, Sao Tome and Principe, Swaziland, South Africa, Nigeria, and Libya will be displayed in the expo, according to Chang.

Classes will also be offered in hair-braiding, African facial-painting, and African drums, and "Ensemble Musical des Amis" from Burkina Faso will perform traditional Western African music, Chang said.

"The Foreign Ministry sincerely invites the public to the expo, as it is an event suitable for the entire family,”Chang said.

As part of the efforts to increase links between Taiwan and its African allies, the ministry will also host a reception to celebrate African Day on May 25, he added.