The tapestries manufactured by the Senegalese manufacturers of decorative arts in the central city of Thies, adorn the walls of organisations around the world, as well as the palaces of many heads of state. Created six years after Senegal's independence, the artform almost disappeared before reviving in the 2000s. Now the establishment is diversifying its activities. "We want to create a link between culture, art and tourism, to make the manufactures a cultural powerhouse, to make the manufactures a place where life is good" says their managing director, Aloyse Diouf. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES ARRANGED IN SEQUENCES N°34QJ4B8