MBABANE – The European Union Delegation to Eswatini has announced that the theme for the 2026 EU Bushfire Schools Festival is ‘Art In Action.’
According to the organisers, Art In Action means young people telling their stories and expressing who they are. It is asking bold questions and exploring new ways to face tough challenges. It is imagining something better and daring to envision the future.
When creativity is put into action, it does not just fill a stage; it shapes what comes next. The vision of today becomes the life of tomorrow.
The EU Bushfire Schools Festival serves as a precursor to the main MTN Bushfire music festival. It is designed to provide a platform for creative expression and dialogue among young people. The festival invites applications from secondary schools, high schools and out-of-school art and youth clubs across all four regions of Eswatini. More than 600 learners and teachers are expected to participate in the programme.
The event features creative performances, workshops and interactive outreach programmes. It covers various disciplines, including Drama, Poetry, Music, Dance and Visual Arts.
The 2026 theme, ‘Art In Action,’ focuses on using the arts as a vehicle for practical social messaging and skills development. This objective aligns with the European Union’s broader partnership with the Kingdom of Eswatini, which emphasises youth empowerment and the development of vocational and entrepreneurial skills within the creative economy. The 2025 theme was ‘Art as the Driver in the Pursuit of Sustainability.’
The festival was originally established in 2010 to support the implementation of the national arts curriculum in Eswatini’s public schools. Since its inception, the initiative has reached over 10 000 learners and approximately 700 teachers. This journey reached a new milestone in 2023 when the European Union in Eswatini came on board as title partner, a collaboration rooted in a shared vision.
Through its mandate to support education, youth empowerment, cultural exchange and sustainable development, the EU invests in opportunities that amplify young voices and build inclusive futures. This aligns with the call to ‘Bring Your Fire’ to stand up, speak out and use creativity as a force for positive change.
Together, the EU Bushfire Schools Festival is more than a day of fun. It is a space for connection, courage and possibility.
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