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The Kwibuka Flame of Remembrance today travels to Rubavu District, the 14th stop on its nationwide tour. The flame will return to Kigali on 7 April 2014, the start of the national mourning period and twenty years since the Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. You can view an interactive map of the tour here.
Today’s community event is hosted by Mayor Sheikh Hassan Bahame and will reflect on the events of 1994 as well as the journey of Rubavu and Rwanda since. The special guest is Hon. Protais Mitali, Minister of Sports and Culture.
Remarks will also be given by Hon. Alfred Rwasa, Member of Parliament. The Flame of Remembrance will be received from Rutsiro District by two 20-year-old students, Gloria Muhimpundu and Dieudonné Nyirigira. A choir from La Promise Primary School will sing ‘Urumuri Rutazima’ to welcome the flame. The Master of Ceremony for today’s event is Nasoro Maguru.
Testimony will be given by Innocent Kabanda (33), a survivor of the genocide and currently a student at ULK Gisenyi Campus. At the event, a poem and song will be performed by young Rubavu students Solange Uwiduhaye, Diane Iradukunda, Gisele Ikirezi and Umutoni Ingabire (aged 8-11) called “Ikirere Cyabyaye Ikirezi”. Testimony will also be given by Ibrahim Ndayambaje and Alphonse Bahati.
Rubavu is part of the former Gisenyi Prefecture and served as place where authorities trialled the genocide. In 1991, 1992 and 1993, the Bagogwe people (a group of Tutsi living in Musanze, Nyabihu and Rubavu) were systematically murdered. Men and women were killed at Mukamira and the Bigogwe military barracks. Others were thrown into the Nyaruhonga cave in Nyabihu District. The Genocide against the Tutsi began on 7 April 1994. After three days, almost all the Bagogwe people living in the area had been killed. The militia who carried out the murders there were then transported to other parts of the country to continue the genocide.
Kwibuka20 Flame Tour Event: Rubavu Program
When: 2:00 – 4:00pm, 20 February 2014
Where: Rubavu District (near Commune Rouge)
Welcoming Remarks from the Master of Ceremony Nasoro Maguru
Children’s Choir signing Urumuri Rutazima as the Kwibuka Flame arrives
Remarks by Rutsiro Mayor Sheikh Hassan Bahame
Testimony from survivor Innocent Kabanda
Poem from Solange Uwiduhaye, Diane Iradukunda, Gisele Ikirezi, Umutoni
Ingabire (aged 8-11): Ikirere Cyabyaye Ikirezi
Testimony from Ibrahim Ndayambaje
Testimony from Alphonse Bahati
Guests invited to write Ribbons of Remembrance
Remarks by Hon. Alfred Rwasa, Member of Parliament
Remarks by Special Guest Hon. Protais Mitali, Minister of Sports and Culture
Final performance of Urumuri Rutazima
Background Information on the Kwibuka Flame of Remembrance
The Kwibuka Flame symbolises remembrance as well as the resilience and courage of Rwandans over the past twenty years. Carried in a simple lamp, it will be used to light other lamps in communities around Rwanda. To mark twenty years since the Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, all memorial fires throughout the country will stem from this single Kwibuka Flame. On returning to Kigali, President Paul Kagame will use the Kwibuka Flame to light the National Flame of Mourning. This will take place on 7 April 2014, marking the official beginning of the national mourning period. The flame will also be the source of the fire used at the candlelit vigil at Amahoro Stadium on the evening of 7 April 2014. Learn more about the Flame and its nationwide tour here.
Photos from today’s event will be available on the Kwibuka Flickr and videos on the Kwibuka YouTube channel.
Source: kwibuka
