Nyanza District authorities yesterday announced an annual festival aimed at promoting the country’s traditional culture and tourism.

The concert, that will be known as Nyanza Twataramye, is a joint initiative by Nyanza District, the Ministry of Sports and Culture (Minispoc), Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and the National Institute of Museums of Rwanda.

It will be celebrated for the first time this Friday, December 26, at Rwesero Art Museum.

Addressing journalists during a news briefing, the Mayor of Nyanza District, Abdallah Murenzi, said the concert will be organised annually.

Nyanza is the country’s former capital and is home to the official residence of the country’s last monarch.

"These concerts will help instill cultural values among Rwandans, especially the youth. They offer an opportunity for us to showcase to the youth the core values of our culture. During the festival, we shall demonstrate the kind of life our ancestors led through poetry, games and preparation of traditional Rwandan cuisine which will be shared with participants,” Murenzi said.

Edward Kalisa, the permanent secretary at Minispoc, said the annual concert will not only promote culture but also generate revenue for Rwanda.

"Many people are interested in knowing our history, including foreigners who will bring in foreign exchange,” he said, while encouraging local service providers to seize the opportunity.

Alphonse Umulisa, the director general for the National Institute of Museums of Rwanda, said cultural tourism contributes significantly toward the country’s economic growth.

He said: "We are earning around Rwf30 million monthly from cultural tourism and the number of visitors in the sector increased from 180,000 last year to 205,000 this year. I hope the concert will help us earn more.”

He added that apart from the Nyanza Twataramye concert, a Heritage Corridor was demarcated from Kigali to Nyungwe Forest, an area that comprises many historical sites like Urutare rwa Kamegeri (Kamegeri’s Rock), Nyanza Art Museum, the palace of King Mutara III Rudahigwa, Huye Heritage Museum, among others.

Léonidas Gatete, the community and cultural tourism officer at RDB, said the festival will help strengthen the ‘beyond gorilla’ approach where RDB seeks to promote other tourism products besides the famed gorillas in Virunga National Park.

"When we talk about tourism in Rwanda, most people think of gorillas. We are promoting other products in a campaign we call ‘beyond tourism’ where all districts have identified historical sites to be promoted as part of cultural tourism,” he said.

He added that a museum showcasing Rwanda’s expansionist campaign during the 17th century is to be set up at Mount Kigali, in partnership with the Rwanda Defence Forces.

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