BY MENGISTEAB TESHOME
Culture and art have incalculable power in terms of promoting relations among peoples of different social, cultural and religious background; and strengthening people to people relations, apart from their cultural and religious significance and entertaining facets.
What is more, they further strengthen social cohesion among the countries and promote people to people relations. Needless to say Africa is rich in cultural and religious diversity, with over 3000 ethnic groups and over two hundred languages, histories among others which are distinctive to that specific group. However, these values are not utilized well in terms of promoting people to people ties, establishing networks, creating a cohesive sense of African people and strengthening relations between and among the countries.
In cognizant of this reality, currently Ministry of Culture and Sport, in partnership with Ministry of Foreign Affairs and stakeholders, has finalized preparation to host the East African Culture and Art Festival from June 14-19, 2022 to make sure that the new generations learn more about the region. Speaking at a recent program organized to deliberate on this same matter with partners
and stakeholders, Demeke Mekonnen, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister said that, East Africa culture and art festivals have unsubstantial role in promoting peace, fostering shared cultural values and enhancing people-to-people relations between and among countries of the region.
Ethiopia’s foreign policy is rooted in relations with neighboring countries, It gives due attention to diplomatic relations, and regional integration. Such festival, therefore, would strengthen ties between and among the countries in the region and contribute to the success of Ethiopia’s foreign policy.
The East African region should not always be associated with conflict, drought and other hardship; Demeke said adding that it is the responsibility of this generation to change the narratives of the region by using its natural resources. Underscoring that East Africa is a hub for art, the Deputy Prime Minister stressed the need to work on changing the image of the regions by exploiting art and untapped cultural wisdoms.
“In order to change this image, we all are required to make efforts to turn the abundant blessings, arts and other natural resources that we had inherited from our forefathers of the region in to development.” “East African countries are hub of art and culture. We will also make the region known not only for athletics; but also for arts and culture festivals.”
Stakeholders will exert their utmost effort to make the festival a success, Demeke added. Minister of Culture and Sports, Kejela Merdassa on his part said East Africa is a region where the countries have interlinked by common rivers, geography, and biodiversity. It is also a region where peoples who have similar ancestors and common history, language, religion and cultural values as well as shared heritages are residing in it.
However, following the borders created by the European colonizers, the people are compelled to live separately According to him, festivals will play an important role; as art and culture are crucial for the region’s economic development. And the upcoming East African Culture and Art Festival will be a platform that further strengthens the longstanding ties of East African countries, and benefit the people through linking the region economically.
The festival by linking peoples of the region, strengthening cultural diplomacy, enhancing social and economic integration and promoting its image, would benefit Ethiopia too. Thus, the Minister urged, partners and stakeholders to join hands and work together for the success of the festival.
In the six days festival, which will be held in Addis Ababa, various activities, including exhibitions, musical and art performances, book fairs, and films that depict the overall cultures, ways of life, values and customs of the participating nations in the region, will be staged. It is to be recalled that Ethiopia has proposed for East African Cultural and Art Festival to be hosted in rotation among countries in the sub regions annually.
The Ethiopian Herald Mat 31/2022
