By Lindekile Mntjali
MBABANE – Youth Arts Development comes alive with the 2024 European Union (EU) in the MTN Bushfire Schools Festival on Thursday in Malkerns.
The MTN Bushfire festivities commenced with a bang as the 12th edition of the EU Bushfire Schools Festival pulsate with excitement and various activities. It is celebrated a day before the actual festival by scholars showcasing their talents.
Over 600 pupils, teachers, government officials and arts facilitators poured onto the streets forming an energetic parade that marked the official opening of this year’s edition, starting from Lobamba to Malkerns (House on Fire).
There were 38 Schools participating with Salesian High School Band leading the march that was enriching and inspiring celebration of art, education and culture.
More of the EU Bushfire Festivals were due to take more schools were to showcase more on art and culture.
Mdzura (Mduduzi Dlamini) a comedian said some of the schools that took part in the event included St. Theresa, Vulamasango High School, Kukhanyeni School and Lobamba National High School to name a few.
“When I went there to perform as an artist, there were plenty of schools which include. They were to showcase their various impeccable talents of art and culture including poetry, drama, comedy, dancing, singing and some showcasing their drawings,” he said.
The theme for this year’s EU Bushfire Schools Festival, ‘Art Effect’ which means the Transformative Power Of Artistic Expression in the Creative Economy.
This emphasizes the strong force of Art to engender social and economic change. More of the Schools were yet to appear and give an impressive performance for the Bushfire Schools Festival.
