Addis Ababa: The rich cultural diversity of East Africa not only serves as a source of pride but also acts as a powerful unifying force that brings people together across the region and the entire African continent, Ministers of East African countries stressed. From shared dances and traditional music to unique artistic expressions, cultural heritage bridges nations, fostering greater cooperation and solidarity within East Africa and beyond.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, the recent second edition of the East Africa Art and Culture Festival, held at the Addis International Convention Center in Addis Ababa, provided a vibrant platform to showcase this unity. The festival, themed “Arts and Culture for Regional Integration,” celebrated the common cultural threads that bind East African nations while highlighting their distinct traditions. The event featured a wide range of activities, including conferences, symposiums, cultural exhibitions, circus performances, traditional cuisines, fashion shows, music, f
ilms, theater, and book fairs. It aimed to not only showcase the rich artistic heritage of East African nations but also to promote regional cooperation and unity.
Among the notable participants, Burundi’s Minister of Youth, Sports, and Culture, Ambassador Gervais Abayeho, emphasized the importance of cultural diversity in fostering unity. He told the Ethiopian News Agency, ‘The diversity in our cultural heritage is, in fact, a unifying factor for the people of East Africa and elsewhere on the continent.’ The Minister highlighted the similarities in cultural dances across countries, noting that Ethiopian dances, for example, share common elements with those in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and even further afield in South Africa. Ambassador Abayeho also celebrated the uniqueness of Burundi’s cultural heritage, particularly its famous drums, which have been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage. ‘This is something we can be proud of,’ he said, adding that cultural expressions like dance and music serve as bridges
linking East Africa and beyond.
Lucy Atto, Assistant Commissioner at Uganda’s Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development, echoed similar sentiments, remarking on the shared cultural practices across African nations. ‘Africans are almost the same. We have borders for the sake of having them, but the dances, the instruments, and the spirit are the same. This reminds us of our shared history,’ she said.
South Sudan’s Minister of Culture, Museums, and National Heritage, Dr. Nadia Arop Dudi, also expressed her gratitude to Ethiopia for hosting the festival, stating that it was a significant event for East Africa. ‘This event has inspired us that East Africa, and Africa as a whole, are unique in culture, with a rich cultural diversity that cannot be compared to any other part of the world,’ she said.
Ngabo Braive, Permanent Secretary at Rwanda’s Ministry of Youth and Culture, emphasized the importance of such festivals in fostering regional and international cultural exchange. ‘This festival is crucial b
ecause it not only allows us to exhibit our culture but also strengthens our connections and highlights the similarities within our cultures,’ he said. He further called for more festivals to be held across East Africa, and eventually worldwide, to promote East African cultures globally.
The East Africa Art and Culture Festival, which began in 2022, continues to play a vital role in celebrating the region’s artistic and cultural richness while fostering regional integration. The event is a testament to how cultural diversity can act as a powerful force for unity and cooperation across the continent.