Al-Ruwad Group performing during 3rd edition of the Derik Cultural Festival on the last day of event - November 18, 2023 - Credit: Derik Cultural Festival

A weeklong Third Edition of the Derik Cultural Festival ended Saturday with a call on government to grant freedom of expression, and political and civic space, for young people to voice out their issues without fear in the country.

This year, the celebration to remember the life of Alfred Uya Derik, started on November 10 and ran until Saturday, November 18.

Speaking during the event, Dr Bachay James Jwodho, a consultant and also former manager of the Agricultural Bank of South Sudan said the transitional government must provide a platform for the youth to express their needs through art and music.

Dr Jwodho, who is currently a Consultant at Blessing Millers & Food Processing Co, stressed the importance of civic space which can allow youth to freely articulate themselves.

According to him, by enabling young people to express their thoughts and aspirations, South Sudan can achieve full stability.

Dr. Bachay further called for the establishment of a theatre, which he said would contribute to what he calls “cultural stability” in the country.

“With having a theatre, the government will have young people, and it will have people, and with the existence of the theatre, the government will have cultural stability in this country,” he during the conclusion of the Third Edition of Derik Cultural Festival.

“They said, ‘Give me a theatre and I will give you a nation,’ so, the governments must open up freedoms space. Let them allow the youth to speak and express as they want in open places.”

“Let them express themselves so that South Sudan can be 100 per cent stable. We, behind them, will provide a food basket, and the supporting group will strive to bring food from them, and it will come from our local resources and not from abroad.”

Derik Cultural Festival holds special significance as one of the few cultural events in the country.

It is observed annually in commemoration of the late Direk Alfred Oya, a former Minister of Information and Culture in Western Bahr El-Ghazal state.

Derik Oya, passed away three years ago, leaving behind a cultural legacy that continues to inspire his people.

To honor his life and accomplishments, the Derik Cultural Festival is held every year in Juba, South Sudan.

The closing day of the eight-day festival featured a captivating live concert by the Al-Ruwad Group, a renowned traditional artists’ collective from South Sudan.

The ceremony also saw honoring of artist Emmanuel Kembe, along with a group of individuals and media organizations that covered the event.

The closing ceremony was attended by of senior government officials, led by the Minister of Investment, Dhieu Mathok Diing Wol.

Others were Dr Lam Akol the leader of the South Sudan National Democratic Movement, Dr. Peter Adwok Nyaba former minister of higher education, Dr. John Gai a former advisor to the president, members of national and state parliaments, and

The event witnessed performs from Wau Representative Group, Morgan, Al-Ruwad Music Group, Dismajos Jazz Band, Luwanga Jazz Band Music,

Others are General Paulino, Sense United Choral International, Peter Joseph and Matelo Justin.