Kacyiru-based Niyo Arts Gallery on Friday held the ‘Cultural exchange night’, an event which brought alive African culture through traditional dances and live paintings, exciting those who were in attendance.

Niyo Arts Gallery is an arts and cultural centre which was founded in 2012 by Pacific Niyonsenga, a young Rwandan passionate about art, whose aim was to support orphaned street children as well as talented but needy children.

The centre aims at teaching them various skills which they can use to generate income. Up to 60 children are supported with scholastic materials and other basic life needs.

On Friday, the children showcased their work during the cultural exchange night, during which they proved that art can be vital in keeping the African culture relevant.

"Today as you saw, the vulnerable children supported by Niyo Arts Gallery proved just what they can do and people were really entertained.”

"When I came up with this idea, my intention was to help the children understand and acquire skills in African culture, art, crafts and music, which they would in turn use to get means to go to school and make ends meet. Today this has proved to work,” the 24-year-old Niyosenga said.

During the ‘cultural night exchange’ show, Niyo Arts Gallery children showcased their creative art skills and traditional dances to prove to the audience that African culture is still alive.

The show, which started a few minutes to 7pm with the art exhibition, attracted a sizeable group of people, including foreign nationals who appreciated the work of the gallery.

Christy Berger, 54, an American citizen said that she was impressed by the exhibition particularly the colourful African fabrics.

"I am impressed. The paintings show that these Rwandan children don’t only understand what they are doing, but they are also hard working. Their ability to grasp African culture and the intelligence with which the paintings are made is very much commendable,” Berger noted.

After the art exhibition, the cultural night followed as Rwandan traditional dances, poetry and drumming were showcased in a manner similar to how Rwandans did it back in the day.

Solange Ayinkamiye, 18, one of the orphaned children who took part in the event said that the gallery gave them a second chance in life.

"Niyo Arts Gallery transformed our lives for better. It taught us traditional dancing and art skills which we use to acquire school fees,” she said.

During the evening, revellers were given a chance to try their hand on painting while others were taught a few dancing skills.

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