Citizens of Eastern Equatoria on Thursday marked their first cultural exhibition at Torit Freedom Square.
State Deputy Governor Jerome Surur Gama hailed the organizers, emphasizing that the event should be conducted every year, Emmanuel Radio reported.
He said Eastern Equatoria is rich in culture with 19 communities and 19 cultural groups.
The Deputy Governor urged the public to accept cultural diversity without discrimination and marginalization because they are God given values.
Eastern Equatoria Gender, Child and Social Development minister Paska Oduho called for preservation of cultural values and respect for the groups that preserve cultural aspects.
UNESCO Representative to South Sudan Salah Khaled said culture unites people and that creativity generates diversity and renewal of ideas for peace and sustainable development.
He stressed the need of investing resources in cultural diversity and that people need to learn to live together in diversity of languages, religions and social differences.
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization or UNESCO funded the festival.