Prime Minister Anastase Murekezi has said celebrating national heroes is not only important now but also for generations to come.

The premier was addressing the public after a march, yesterday, to launch the Heroism Week that will run through February 1, the Heroes Day.

The march started from Kimihurura to Petit Stade in Remera.

"Celebrating National Heroes’ Day is important for us and generations to come. It is an important opportunity to look back in our history and say thanks to various heroes that Rwanda has had starting from our ancestors who founded the country up to the heroes we know in our recent history falling into three categories to note Imanzi, Imena and Ingenzi,” Murekezi said.

He said it is also an occasion to learn from achievements and values that were cherished by the country’s heroes.

It also helps us to set sustainable measures to protect what Rwanda owes the heroes and fight those who want to destroy them, the premier added.

"Celebrating national heroes is also an opportunity to inculcate the culture of heroism among our youth so that it can be upheld by generations to come,” he said.

Some of the values Murekezi cited include love to all Rwandans without discrimination, patriotism, ability to set clear vision for the future, dedication to quality work, honesty among others.

Meanwhile, the Heroes Week will see several awareness activities done ahead of Heroes Day.

These include radio talk-shows, heroism concert, heroism messages to be delivered during community work, dialogue about heroism in higher learning institutions, and dialogue in both private and public institutions about heroism.

The 22nd celebration of national heroes will be marked under the theme, "Strive for heroism: build a better future.”

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