Singer Yvan Buravan is preparing to entertain music lovers during this evening’s live performance at the ongoing Iwacu Muzika festival 2020.

The RFI 2018 Prix Decouverte winner has missed out on big concerts on the local stage since July last year during the Liberation Day Concert and was only able to perform in diaspora during a Valentine’s Day concert he headlined in Sweden on February 14.

He told The New Times that he has been waiting for an opportunity to perform again at a big music event like Iwacu Muzika Festival as a consolation following the cancellation of a concert, he was supposed to hold in May this year.

Buravan was among the artistes who were affected by a government decision to temporary ban concerts, festivals and all public gatherings since March, as part of the measures to curb the spread of the new coronavirus pandemic.

"It’s a performance I have been waiting for because I have been missing to perform for my fans. I believe the festival is a big occasion that neither my fans nor I would afford to miss, which is why I am rehearsing so hard so that I can deliver,”

"I hope to put up a good performance which the audience will enjoy while at home,” the R&B singer said in a phone interview.

Buravan is the latest singer to headline the festival which takes place every Saturday live on Rwanda Television from 8.45pm, following previous performances by Bruce Melodie, who opened the festival on June 20, Queen Cha, Mani Martin and gospel singer Patient Bizimana, among others.

"Low Key”, "Ndagukunda” and his collaboration with Charly na Nina, "Oroha”, are among the latest songs that music lovers are looking forward to seeing him perform live for the very first time.

Iwacu Muzika Festival is organised by East African Promoters (EAP), in partnership with the Ministry of Youth and Culture, and ArtRwanda - Ubuhanzi among other partners, to promote Rwandan music by bringing together different artistes in their respective age brackets on the same stage.

In its new format, the festival is becoming a platform for talented aspiring artistes through which they are given a chance to show the best out of their talents before a bigger audience in different categories including live painting, poetry, fashion, drama and photography among others.

Rising rapper Dope Zilha, poet Rubebe Bahati and fashion designer Kanyana will be showcasing their works alongside Buravan this Saturday, August 8.