As in previous years, the schools festival, shown in the video, opened the door for the learners to express themselves in the many languages of arts and explore their creativity.

Held under the theme: Youth and Skills Development, the aim of the festival was not only to help the learners explore and sharpen their artistic skills but also to present an alternative vocation for the Emaswati youth, thereby allowing a higher potential for a fulfilled life through the cultural and creative industries.

For many, the festival is a springboard to a future life in the cultural and creative industries, an example being a local female musician who co-produced a recent hit song “It is enough”, with the support of the European Union, to commemorate the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence in 2022.

The festival theme was in line not only with the EU’s seven-year programme in Eswatini focusing on youth skills and empowerment but also with the 2023 European Year of Skills.

The EU has supported this event since 2016 to create an alternative to the lack of a formal arts curriculum in public schools in Eswatini.