The five-day event was held at the Addis Ababa International Convention Center under the theme “Art and Culture for Regional Integration” and featured delegations from Rwanda, Burundi, Djibouti, Uganda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Somalia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, and the host nation.

Burundian Minister of East African Community Affairs, Youth, Sports, and Culture, Gervais Abayeho, stressed the importance of cultural diversity in fostering unity.

Assistant Commissioner at Uganda’s Ministry of Gender, Labor, and Social Development, Lucy Atto, also spoke of the shared cultural practices among African nations.

South Sudan’s Minister of Culture, Museums, and National Heritage, Nadia Arop Dudi, in turn, expressed gratitude to Ethiopia for hosting the festival, affirming it was a significant event for East Africa.

Ngabo Brave, Permanent Secretary at Rwanda’s Youth and Culture Ministry, addressed the importance of such festivals in fostering regional and international cultural exchange.

The East African Arts and Culture Festival, which began in 2022, plays a vital role in celebrating the region’s artistic richness while fostering regional integration.

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