Entertainment activities are slowly resuming after the official commemoration week of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi ended on April 13.

All entertainment related events came to a halt on April 7 as the country came together in a week of rememberance for over 1 million people killed during the Genocide.

Artistes and other stakeholders in the showbiz industry were among those that took part in activities aimed at supporting Genocide survivors. Kwetu Film Institute screened several Genocide related films in Kigali to raise funds for the elderly survivors.

During the official commemoration week, Primus Guma Guma season 7 contestants visited Kigali Genocide Memorial (KGM) Centre in Gisozi, as part of Bralirwa’s activities to commemorate the Genocide. The tour was aimed at helping the contestants, who are mainly youth, to learn about the country’s tragic history.

Following the closure of the commemoration week, radio and television broadcasts resumed their normal programming ahead of the Easter celebrations on Sunday.

Clubs, bars and other entertainment venues have also returned to their usual themes, as hotels hold celebrations and events, including meetings and seminars.

A series of other entertainment events are expected to commence—including the third edition of Easter Celebration (East African Chapter) scheduled for April 16 at Radisson Blu Kigali (Convention Center). The event will feature popular gospel musicians like Burundi’s Apollinaire Habonimana and Marion Shako from Kenya among others.

The event is a brainchild of local gospel singer Patient Bizimana, and proceeds from the concert will go towards helping the vulnerable people in hospitals and survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

The 7th season of the Primus Guma Guma music competition will also kick off on May 20 and will run till June 27 in Huye. The contest will see all the 10 contestants battle it out for the country’s most coveted annual music award in strictly live shows in five different road-shows across the country.

The 10 contestants are expected to participate in another charity activity on April 20, where they will pay community health insurance premiums for 1000 vulnerable families in Rubavu District. They include Bull Dogg, Danny Nanone, Christopher Muneza, Social Mulla, Davis D, MicoThe Best, Dream Boys, Active, Oda Paccy and Queen Cha

Screening resumes for films at Kwetu Film Institute in Kagugu, where Genocide short films will be shown alongside other movies at the Kwetu Movie Lounge.

However, the entertainment scene will not fully pick up as the country continues to commemorate for 100 days— until at least the first week of May.

Meanwhile, artistes and players in the country will continue to participate in activities and acts of charity aimed at supporting Genocide survivors.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw