EU Bushfire Schools Festival 2026 launches in style

A number of stakeholders including a representative of the Minister of Education and Training attended this launch, thus counting down to the festival, which will bring together more than 600 high school learners, out-of-school youth clubs and children living with disabilities for a day of self-expression in the many languages of art.

Speaking on this occasion, EU Ambassador to Eswatini, Karsten Mecklenburg, said the EU was very proud to once again support this festival having done so for more than 10 years now. The Ambassador noted that each year the festival is inclusive, balancing participants from all corners of Eswatini, both rural and urban.

EU in Eswatini

Looking back, the Ambassador said since the festival began more than 10 years ago, it has brought almost 10 000 young people through this day and, as such, the festival has become an impressive event that goes beyond performance, thus serving as a structured space where the young people of Eswatini engage in workshops, artistic expression and skills-based learning alongside professional artists and industry stakeholders.

This year's festival, which again will take place ahead of Eswatini's internationally-acclaimed MTN Music Festival, will be held under the theme: "Art in Action. Future in the Making".