The Eritrean Festival in Scandinavia has concluded on a triumphant note, celebrating its 25th Anniversary with great success. This eagerly awaited annual event brought together thousands of Eritreans from all corners of the world, fostering cultural appreciation, unity, and community bonding. The festival, held from the 3rd to the 8th of August, featured diverse, enriching programs and activities.
Throughout the festival, attendees actively engaged in seminars, panel discussions, and lectures covering various topics such as political affairs, development programs in Eritrea, human capacity building, technology transfer, and health-related subjects like diabetes prevention and treatment. Additionally, the concept of Pan-Africanism and Eritrea’s regional influence sparked thought-provoking discussions, fostering intellectual exchange among participants. The Festival also witnessed captivating performances by an Eritrean band comprising highly acclaimed celebrity singers from Eritrea and talented artists from Sweden, entertaining and delighting festival-goers throughout the event.
Amidst the excitement and jubilation, about 1000 individuals with malicious intent attempted to interrupt the festivities, causing destruction and engaging in violent acts. These regrettable actions targeted both law-abiding Europeans of Eritrean origin and Eritreans residing in Scandinavian countries, disrupting the harmony of the festival and posing a threat to the safety and well-being of innocent attendees—an attack on the very essence of Eritrean identity.
In the face of this adversity, the unity and resilience of the Eritrean community shone through. Their response to this ignorant minority group, whose backward mindset seemed trapped in the annals of the Stone Age Era, was akin to a bee whose hive has been touched. Eritreans stood shoulder to shoulder, unyielding and fortified against this fleeting bout of hooliganism. A profound debt of gratitude is owed to the numerous courageous men and women of Eritreans who bravely fought back against the Misguided and Closed-minded invasion of 21st-century, defying the odds and standing firm alongside the Swedish force of law, who stepped forward, providing shelter to young and elderly attendees, dedicating their time to volunteer and ensure the safety of festival-goers day and night.
As the community forges ahead, introspection becomes imperative. It is paramount for every Eritrean to address this isolated incident with the wisdom to discern between reactive stone-throwing and the strategic dismantling of harmful ideologies before they gain traction. The power of unity must be harnessed as a force for education, resilience, and change. Let us embrace the core values of peace, inclusivity, and understanding, reaffirming them as guiding principles that will steer us away from the pitfalls of divisive retaliation.
In this journey forward, let us not neglect the crucial task of educating the next generation about the significance of preserving our identity. While commemorating the past 25 years, the Eritrean Festival in Scandinavia will continue to stand as a beacon of cultural celebration. It holds the mantle of a symbol, representing the spirit of a people who have persistently endured and triumphed. As we stand on the threshold of the festival’s next chapter, let us join hands to learn from the lessons of this experience. Together, we shall amplify the harmonious chords of unity and solidarity, carving a path towards a future that reflects the very best of our shared values.
