ADDIS ABABA - Grace Hellen Asamo, the state minister for disability affairs, has stated that culture possesses the ability to bring people together, ignite inspiration, and counteract any adverse preconceptions.
She remarked how deeply art and culture influence our lives, noting their ability to bring people together, motivate us, and question our preconceptions.
On Thursday, Asamo spoke during the official inauguration of the East African Arts and Culture Festival in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
She commended the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia for accepting the invite and participating in the Ateker Reunion Festival, an event conducted between November 27-29, 2024, in the city of Soroti, Uganda.
She noted that the active involvement of the Ethiopian delegation in the Ateker Reunion festival clearly illustrated the fraternal bond between Uganda and Ethiopia, fostered by these consistent cultural exchange programs.
"As we come together at this festival with the theme 'Fostering Cooperation via Art and Culture,' it strikes me how deeply art and culture influence our existence. This event stands as an affirmation of the abundance and variety within our region’s artistic and cultural expressions," she remarked.
She emphasized that being part of Eastern Africa means they are fortunate to have a profound cultural legacy, formed by their varied customs, tongues, and pasts. This inheritance ranges from Ethiopia’s dynamic fabrics to Uganda’s elaborate wooden artworks, from Tanzania’s musical rhythms to Kenya’s lyrical poetry, making their area a bountiful repository of artistic creativity.
Asamo is heading a group of 22 Ugandans at the festival, which concludes on Sunday. The event has drawn attendees from Kenya, Tanzania, South Sudan, Rwanda, and Burundi.
Provided by Syndigate Media Inc. ( Syndigate.info ).
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