By Siphesihle Dlamini
600 learners from 39 high schools and out-of-school art youth clubs across Eswatini are set to converge at the House on Fire in Malkerns on May 30, 2024, for the annual European Union (EU) Bushfire Schools Festival.
This vibrant event, themed ‘Art Effect: The Transformative Power of Artistic Expression in the Creative Economy,’ promises to be a showcase of artistic talent and youthful energy.
The festival’s theme encapsulates the belief in art as a force for positive social change and transformation.
It embraces the idea of creativity as a powerful tool for driving entrepreneurship in the arts and fostering sustainable futures for the youth.
ALSO READ: MTN Bushfire Festival sold out
Through this theme, the Schools Festival aims to nurture artistic talent, promote cultural dialogue, and inspire young individuals to utilize their creativity for the betterment of themselves and their communities.
Initiated by the MTN Bushfire Festival, the EU Bushfire Schools Festival seeks to empower young people in Eswatini through a dynamic program of arts education, creative performances, and interactive workshops.
By providing sustainable access to the arts and creating a platform for creative expression, the festival plays a vital role in shaping the future of the country’s creative sector.
Inspired by the ethos of MTN Bushfire’s ‘Bring Your Fire’ movement, which calls for positive social and environmental change, the EU Bushfire Schools Festival is part of a series of arts development initiatives aimed at nurturing local talent and fostering entrepreneurial opportunities in Eswatini’s creative industry.
Since its establishment in 2010, the festival has been instrumental in supporting the integration of arts education into the national curriculum of public schools.
With a focus on inclusivity, the festival has engaged over 9,720 learners, 616 teachers, and 63 facilitators from all regions of the country, creating a vibrant community of young artists and educators.
Each year, in collaboration with the European Union and other partners, the festival explores a specific theme designed to impart positive social messages to its participants.
Through workshops, performances, and outreach programs, the festival provides young people with a unique opportunity to explore the magic of art and discover potential career paths in the creative arts industry.
EU Ambassador to Eswatini, Her Excellency Dessislava Choumelova, emphasized the transformative power of art in empowering youth and fostering social change.
She highlighted the role of arts in stimulating creativity, innovation, and skills that are highly valued in the job market.
This partnership with Eswatini aims to equip young people with the necessary tools to pursue employment or entrepreneurial ventures, driving social progress and cultural enrichment.
“Art gives dreams a shape, a life. Art connects and empowers. This transformative power of art creates tangible opportunities for the youth.
Arts help stimulate creativity and innovation, which are skills much valued in the labour market.
This is in line with our new partnership with Eswatini which focuses on empowering the youth with the skills they need to pursue employment or entrepreneurial goals,” said EU Ambassador to Eswatini, Her Excellency, Dessislava Choumelova.
Festival Director, Jiggs Thorne, underscored the festival’s commitment to promoting positive social and environmental change through the arts.
He emphasized the importance of empowering youth to become agents of change and champions of sustainable development through creative expression.
“The EU Bushfire Schools Festival is a tangible manifestation of the arts development pillar of Bushfire’s call to action for positive social and environmental change, Bring Your Fire.
ALSO READ: MTN Bushfire full program announced
It also responds creatively to the key mandates of the EU’s strategic roadmap for youth inclusivity and effective transformation.
With an extensive record of introducing the youth in Eswatini to the language of the arts, the Schools Festival continues to validate young people’s ability to foster positive change and build sustainable legacies in their communities through the transformative power of the arts,” he said.
The festival’s program features a diverse lineup of peer performances, including drama, gumboot dancing, poetry, and orchestra performances by high school student groups and local artists.
A highlight of this year’s event is the Multidisciplinary Exhibition, showcasing the work of local youth artists in visual art, film/animation, graphic design, photography, sculpture, and sound installations.
