Singer Yvan Buravan would have turned 29 on April 27, if he was still alive but his family and close friends are working to ensure that the ‘Big Time’ artiste remains alive in the minds of many through different initiatives.
Also read: Twaje Cultural Academy honoring Yvan Buravan legacy
Born on April 27, 1995, Buravan, real name Yvan Dushime Burabyo, succumbed to pancreatic cancer on August 22, 2022 – a day many of his fans, friends and family are yet to come to terms with.
Almost three years after his passing, Buravan’s kith and kin still mourn the loss but now his family and well-wishers, through his foundation, are set to launch an annual festival, ‘Twaje Fest’, through which his legacy will be preserved.
"YB would've turned 29 today. Like he said, ‘GOOD MEMORIES NEVER DIE’ we are grateful for so many that he left us with. And to continue his legacy, we're thrilled to announce the TWAJE Fest, a dream he always held close,” his foundation wrote on the occasion of his 29th birthday.
The foundation, which is managed by his sister, Raissa Umutoni, who is dedicated to preserving her brother’s legacy, is adding the festival to many of the activities aimed at keeping Yvan Buravan’s name active even after his death.
Many, including fellow artistes, took to social media to wish Buravan a happy birthday, with many believing that the festival will go a long way in cementing his young legacy cut short by cancer.
Among those who wished him a happy birthday is Jean Marie Mukasa, the founder of New Level, the record label which he broke out with, Joel Ruti, Tizzo (Active), both his great friends, Junior Rumaga, Alyn Sano and many others.
Established in December 2022 in honour of Yvan Buravan, the non-profit foundation which goes by his initials, has embarked on a series of initiatives, including cancer awareness initiatives.
It also established Twaje Cultural Academy at the foundation premises in Kiyovu, where young children go to learn about and appreciate Rwandan culture and music in general. The academy aims at fostering a deep understanding and admiration for Rwanda's cultural heritage among young people.
It also runs a fun and exciting educational program for both primary and secondary school aged children designed to enhance their Kinyarwanda speaking skills, encourage them to explore and embrace their cultural identity.
The academy also seeks to build self-esteem among young children, develop their critical thinking, foster creativity, inculcate patriotism, and also help them recognise the richness of Rwandan culture.
It also houses a mini-museum with some of Yvan Buravan’s memorabilia, including the different awards he won during his time on earth, including 2018 Prix Découvertes by RFI, among others.
In line with raising awareness against cancer which claimed Buravan’s life, last year the YB Foundation launched ‘Turikumwe campaign’, an initiative aimed at raising awareness about cancer and promoting a healthier lifestyle across the country.
Once launched, Twaje Fest will join a number of other events and activities lined up annually in memory of Buravan, whose music impacted many lives. The singer who died at the time he had travelled to India to seek advanced treatment was mourned by the whole country.
Also read: Honouring, upholding Yvan Buravan's legacy a year later
Speaking last year at the launch of ‘Turikumwe Campaign’, Raissa Umutoni, Buravan’s sister, said that the foundation is working to ensure that many people do not die of cancer, through a series of sensitisation and awareness campaigns, in partnership with different institutions and districts.
Through his short career, Yvan Buravan had outed many songs including, ‘Inkuru’, ‘Ndagukunda’, ‘Ni Yesu’, ‘Twaje’, ‘Bigtime’, ‘Si belle’, ‘Garagaza’, ‘Malaika’, ‘Gusaakaara’, ‘Supernatural’ and many others, which had earned him a legion of fans in the country and beyond, who until today still mourn him.