By Charles K Mark
Derik Cultural Festival has chosen renowned musician Emmanuel Kembe as its main celebrity for this year.
Derik Cultural Festival, an annual event in memory of the late Derik Alfred, focuses on celebrating cultural diversity and promoting unity among South Sudanese people.
It was initiated by the late Derik Alfred and aims to ensure that culture is a common fact and essential element in the progress and advancement of nations.
The festival will start on November 10, 2023, at the University of Juba, and will continue for eight days. It will highlight the rich diversity of South Sudan and its pioneers who embodied the spirit of the nation.
The festival will also feature exhibitions, music concerts, book launches, and drama, among other activities, and a tourism trip to Terekeka,
Atem Simon, the Festivals president said it was important for cultural diversity in the progress and advancement of nations.
“Following the footsteps of our mentor who believed in the cultural diversity in our country as a source of strength, beauty, and pride and is worth celebrating, the theme for this third edition emphasizes the noble meanings and unleashes a civic platform for dialogue,” Atem said in a statement.
“That is why the organizing committee agreed that artist; Emmanuel Kembe will be the personality of this year’s edition of the festival in recognition of his selfless efforts and huge contributions to improving our music while presenting it in a way that promotes awareness and national messages.”
The Derik Cultural Festival is an annual event in memory of late Derik Uya Alfred, a South Sudanese cultural enthusiast, artist, actor, and writer who died at the age of 59 in Khartoum in 2021 after a short illness.
It will be held under the theme: “Celebrating Cultural Diversity.”