The day before the start of the famous 3-day Festival, the EU Delegation to Eswatini once again managed to mobilise partners, professional artists and schools to make this an unforgettable day under the motto “Art as the Driver in the Pursuit of Sustainability”. Art wasn’t just on display, it was in motion, sparking conversations on everything from climate action to gender equality.

Perfectly integrated into the current EU’s program priorities in Eswatini, notably human development and youth empowerment in view of job creation and economic opportunities, the preceding EU-Youth event was also mirrored in the presence of the EU Delegation at the main festival. 

Whereas the EU Ambassador joined the Prime Minister in his opening tour, several local micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSME) in the handicraft and artisanal food sectors were showcasing and selling in dedicated sites around the Festival area the results of their successful start-up and growing business – funded under a series of EU projects implemented by the International Trade Centre (ITC), including under a project labelled as ‘Future Icons’ – some of them already exporting to the EU. 

The EU Ambassador also participated in a panel discussion as part of an “Arts Round Table” bringing together artists, partners, promotors and other stakeholders to discuss business and cooperation opportunities among artists and creatives across the region and with Europe.