Overview
The European Union Bushfire Schools Festival invites secondary schools, high schools, and out-of-school art and youth clubs in Eswatini to apply for the 14th edition of the annual EU Bushfire Schools Open Day, on Thursday, 29 May 2025.
Applications open on 27 February 2025 and close on 27 March 2025.
Due to the volume of applications, not all schools or youth groups that apply for this call will be accepted. Successful groups will be notified by Friday 4 April 2025.
The EU Bushfire Schools Festival welcomes applicants who demonstrate discipline and a passion for the arts in the fields of music, contemporary and traditional dance, drama, poetry, technology, visual arts and craft, as well as a strong interest in sustainability.
In collaboration with the European Union, the Open Day features a blended, peer performance-based programme centred around a theme designed to deliver positive social messages to students and teachers attending the festival.
Theme Requirement
Applications must reflect the guiding theme of the EU Bushfire Schools Festival Open Day: 'Art as the Driver in the Pursuit of Sustainability,' which highlights the crucial role that art and creativity play in tackling the critical challenges of our time. Through its various forms, art serves as a powerful tool for raising awareness about sustainability issues, sparking meaningful conversations, and inspiring action on global challenges such as environmental sustainability, poverty eradication, community resilience, and gender equality, among others.
Schools and groups may apply for one of the following:
Showcase Performances or Artwork: Present performances or artwork related to this year’s theme, with the opportunity to perform or exhibit during the Schools Festival.
Present a Sustainability Issue and Solution: Highlight a sustainability issue pertinent to your community and propose a youth-envisioned solution, which could be showcased at the Schools Festival.
Develop Your Arts Programme: This option is for schools without an established arts programme that are in the process of developing one or want to start one.
All applicants need to complete the entire application form and submit required Attachments (such as performance videos or artwork images) based on the type of application. Early submissions are appreciated.
Attachments should be emailed to schools@bush-fire.com or sent via WhatsApp to EU Bushfire Schools Assistant Mangisi Maphanga, at 7650 5423, before the closing date of 27 March 2025.
Other Requirements:
- Applicants should be available on Thursday, May 29, 2025 to attend Open Day. Groups are expected to arrive at the festival grounds – House on Fire in Malkerns – by 07:30 AM and departure by 4:00 PM.
- Participants must be aged from 13 to 30.
- Each group should consist of no more than 15 participants. In the case of schools, the group must be accompanied by one teacher.
- If your application is successful, EU Bushfire Schools Festival will provide for transport, meals, and other festival-related expenses.
- EU Bushfire Schools Festival will NOT cover the costs for performance or exhibition resources, including but not limited to costumes, materials, or any other items required for performances or displays.