For Immediate Release
Date: Saturday, 21st September 2024
Annual Cultural Peace Festival Brings Communities Together in Bor, Jonglei State
Bor, Jonglei State – The Annual Cultural Peace Festival, held on Saturday, 21st September 2024, successfully concluded with an overwhelming show of unity, culture, and shared commitment to peace. The event, organized under the theme “Together for Peace and Harmony,” gathered diverse communities from across Jonglei State and beyond, marking a significant moment in ongoing efforts to foster reconciliation and peaceful coexistence in the region.
Held at the historic Bor Town Square, the festival drew a vibrant mix of traditional performances, cultural showcases, and peace-building activities, reflecting the rich heritage of the different ethnic groups in Jonglei. Through traditional music, dance, and storytelling, the festival demonstrated how culture can play a pivotal role in uniting people and promoting dialogue.
The event was attended by prominent community leaders, government officials and United Nation Mission In South Sudan (UNMISS). Speaking at the festival, Samuel Sarpong, “Peace is vital for human freedom, without peace we cannot enjoy freedom. Peace does not come from UNMISS, Not Government but within us”
Jacob Achiek, the lord mayor, “I firmly believe that things will not remain the same in Jonglei State. Peace begins within each of us, and that is why I stand before you today. If we reject peace, it is no surprise that we continue to witness repeated attacks on our highways.
I want to assure you that under the leadership of our governor, we are committed to making Jonglei State a place where peace and stability prevail. However, achieving this goal requires the collective effort of all of us. We must unite and work together to bring about harmony and lasting peace in our communities. Additionally, I want to reassure the people and counties of Jonglei that we are committed to establishing training centers to promote and celebrate our cultural diversity. These centers will foster understanding and unity, ensuring that every voice and tradition is valued as we build a more peaceful and prosperous Jonglei State.”
The festival was organized by Christian Agency for peace and Development, in partnership with Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA). The event aims to serve as an annual reminder of the importance of culture in building peace and bridging divides.
As the festival concludes, CAPaD expressed their gratitude to all participants and partners for their support. They urged the community to carry forward the message of peace and harmony beyond the festival, emphasizing that lasting peace begins with individual actions.