{"id":39557,"date":"2023-04-10T17:18:08","date_gmt":"2023-04-10T17:18:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/all-news\/what-you-missed-at-our-past-event"},"modified":"2023-04-10T17:46:40","modified_gmt":"2023-04-10T17:46:40","slug":"what-you-missed-at-our-past-event","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/photo\/what-you-missed-at-our-past-event","title":{"rendered":"What you missed at \u201cOur Past\u201d event"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Rwanda. <\/strong><\/span>Whether it is to preserve identity, build a legacy or leave stories that live on for generations, documenting history was a great way to start and this year\u2019s edition of Our Past.<\/p>\n

In an attempt to raise awareness, combat genocide ideology and embed the never again narrative into the community, the annual Our Past events hold space for younger generations to learn about the country\u2019s history through different art forms, speeches and dialogues tailored to educate and appeal to the youth especially those with no recollection of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.<\/p>\n

Mourners observe a moment of silence to pay respect to victims of the Genocide Against the Tutsi.<\/p>\n

Contrary to previous years, the event that took place at Kigali Genocide Memorial registered an abundant number of attendees, approximately thousands, which is more than the amphitheater could accommodate, leaving standing and sitting on stairs and grass the only option, but participants gladly indulged all through the four hour event.<\/p>\n

Preceded by a short film documentary on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, a poetry team from Gashora Girls School exhibited a play entitled \u201cTruth to the Youth\u201d whose plot centered around a fictional court case of a young girl who was being tried for celebrating during the season of commemoration, which she was cautioned against by the elders in her community, figuratively articulating the disconnect that younger generations have to the country\u2019s history, especially the Genocide, because despite the empathy they feel towards the atrocity, not having personal experiences tethered to it creates a disconnect.<\/p>\n

Players of different sketches at the event at Kigali Genocide Memorial<\/p>\n

The play was followed by a performance dubbed \u201cTales of a demented generation\u201d that featured poetic tributes from locally renowned poets Muctar Inkindi, and Manzi le poete, paired beautifully with Ella Rings harmonizing.<\/p>\n

With a performance titled \u201cHobe Rwanda\u201d Junior Rumaga delivered a play exhibiting the immense despair and woe left behind by the Genocide, alongside tales of hope and progress that nearly compelled the audience to a round of applause they were unable to give due to mindfulness.<\/p>\n

\u201cI enjoyed all the performances today but Junior Rumaga\u2019s play comes in first place. The way grief and rebuilding was portrayed is truly inspirational\u201d said Elsa Ishimwe, one of the attendees.<\/p>\n

Some of over 2000 mourners during the evening of the commemoration of the Genocide Against the Tutsi dubbed ‘Our Past’ at Kigali Genocide Memorial on Sunday, April 9. Photos by Dan Gatsinzi<\/p>\n

In addition to the different performances, the event featured an address by Lieutenant General Innocent Kabandana on behalf of Rwanda Defence Force who shed light onto the role played by the armed forces in putting an end to the Genocide against the Tutsi in 1994 and the hindrances they faced amidst liberating the country.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere were more perpetrators than saviors and that was a challenge because the numbers were not on our side. Besides being rescued, the survivors needed to be comforted, fed and being taken care of.<\/p>\n

There was no infrastructure to travel from provinces to the city and armed forces had to walk long distances to liberate people and that required sacrifice. Civilian Rwandans also provided food and shelter to their fellows, and that in itself was admirable\u201d Kabandana reiterated during his speech.<\/p>\n

The event also featured a dialogue with Claver Irakoze, author of the book ‘That Child Is Me’ who shared his experience during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and emphasized on the importance of sharing and documenting one\u2019s history.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter I became a parent, I wanted my children to learn about my history and know who I truly am, and writing this book helped me share a piece of myself with them. I would also like to urge parents to educate their children on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and have conversations that could prevent or address transgenerational trauma,\u201d said Irakoze.<\/p>\n

The ceremony concluded with passing the light and had been attended by the Israeli ambassador to Rwanda, Ron Adam, representatives from the Ministry of Youth and Culture and the Ministry of National Unity and Civic Engagement as well as members of the Rwanda Defense Force.<\/p>\n

Mourners with light candles during Our Past<\/p>\n

Lt. Gen. Innocent Kabandana recounts the journey of RPA -Inkotanyi in stopping the Genocide Against the Tutsi at the commemoration event on Sunday.<\/p>\n

Our Past event was attended by different people including some foreigners joined Rwanda during the 29th commemoration of the Genocide Against the Tutsi. Dan Gatsinzi<\/p>\n

Our Past Initiative was founded by Christian Ntwali, as an initiative to help youth to play their role in the commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi. The annual event took place at Kigali Genocide Memorial on Sunday, April 9. Photos by Dan Gatsinzi<\/p>\n

Thousands of mourners especially youth, turn up for “Our Past” an evening of commemorating the Genocide Against the Tutsi at Kigali Genocide Memorial.<\/p>\n

Lt. Gen. Innocent Kabandana recounts the journey of RPA -Inkotanyi in stopping the Genocide Against the Tutsi at the commemoration event on Sunday.<\/p>\n

Israeli Ambassador to Rwanda, Ron Adam attended Our Past event<\/p>\n

Some of over 2000 mourners during the evening of the commemoration of the Genocide Against the Tutsi dubbed ‘Our Past’ at Kigali Genocide Memorial on Sunday, April 9. Photos by Dan Gatsinzi<\/p>\n

Over 2000 mourners attended the event.<\/p>\n

Some of over 2000 mourners during the evening of the commemoration of the Genocide Against the Tutsi dubbed ‘Our Past’ at Kigali Genocide Memorial on Sunday, April 9.<\/p>\n\r\n