Human Rights Are Universal Festival - 1st Edition

The inaugural Human Rights Are Universal Arts Festival, launched by East Africa Visual Artists (EAVA Artists), marked the beginning of what has become a powerful platform for human rights advancement in Uganda. The first edition established the festival's foundation as a space where art and activism unite to address pressing human rights challenges.

The 2022 festival brought together visual artists, performers, filmmakers, and activists from across Uganda and neighboring countries to explore how artistic expression can make complex human rights issues accessible and relatable to all people, regardless of background.

This groundbreaking event set the stage for the festival's ongoing mission to champion universal rights, amplify silenced voices, and empower artists as agents of change.

The first edition of the festival featured a diverse range of activities designed to engage audiences with human rights issues through art:

• Art exhibitions showcasing works by local artists exploring themes of equality, dignity, and justice
• Poetry and musical performances highlighting stories of resilience and resistance
• Documentary film screenings examining human rights challenges in Uganda
• Panel discussions bringing together artists, activists, and scholars
• Community workshops focused on using creativity as a tool for advocacy

These activities created spaces for dialogue, reflection, and inspiration, establishing the festival's reputation for bringing human rights discussions to public spaces.

The inaugural Human Rights Are Universal Festival laid a strong foundation with significant achievements:

• Engaged over 3,000 attendees from diverse backgrounds
• Featured work from 18 visual artists, 12 performers, and 5 filmmakers
• Facilitated 4 panel discussions on pressing human rights topics
• Created new partnerships with 8 community organizations
• Generated media coverage that reached an estimated audience of 50,000

The festival's first edition demonstrated the power of art to communicate human rights messages in ways that resonated deeply with audiences, setting the stage for future growth.