Kigali Arts Festival returns in its 4th edition this weekend with different exhibitors and handmade crafts.

The one-day event will be held at Marasa Umubano Hotel and will feature a wide range of Rwandan cultural handmade art crafts by talented artisans from across the country.

According to organisers, this year’s event will also showcase fashion alongside art. 

Francois Ingabire, the festival organiser, is promising "a spectacular experience of creative expression” for everyone to enjoy that day.

"We are very excited to see Kigali Arts Festival returning for the 4th time,” said Ingabire, adding that: "We hope that the festival will inspire all attendees and motivate the artisans.”

Ingabire noted that the festival is an opportunity for people to learn more about the Rwandan art and culture, and to also support the creative industry.

"There will be handcrafts and fashion varieties that we don’t want people to miss. We encourage people to come in big numbers and witness what our artisans and fashion designers are capable of making,” he added.

The festival will feature cultural inspired handcrafts such as imigongo, agaseke, print screen, jewelries, banana paper postcards, many items.

Exhibitors for this year’s edition will include Gama Arts, All African handcrafts, Cowhorn Rwanda, Medicus Mundi, World Vision Rwanda, Jumelage Rhineland Palatinate, Rwanda Clothing, Ben Shop, Og Shop, Ibyiwacu Bamboo, Muhanga Cooperative, Kanyaburanga Arts Center, Murebwayire shop, Mama Kiki shop, Hakim Rygan, Jean de Dieu Shop and Owen Collection.

This year’s event will focus on products from rural areas, to create a platform for artisans to bring their products to bigger audiences.

Organisers said they intend to start training artisans and fashion designers on how they can improve their products, and turn their work into a professional career.

Kigali Arts Festival has been successful for the past three years in empowering local handcraft cooperatives and individuals by attracting markets from them. The festival also aims to develop initiatives for all artisans to become self independent.

The festival starts from 10am to 6pm. Entrance is Rwf2, 000 for adults, and its free for children under 12 years of age.

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