Poets and poetry enthusiasts on Thursday, July 4, held the inaugural ‘U Speak Live Thursdays,’ an evening of poetry reflecting liberation to life through powerful spoken word performances.
The event was a collaboration between U Speak Live Collective and an array of poets and artists from diverse backgrounds, celebrating Rwanda's journey through personal reflections.
Vivian Amah Ofre, a Nigerian poet and guest performer at the event, emphasized that liberation is a continuous journey, not just for Rwanda but for all Africans, highlighting that liberation occurs on both national and personal levels.
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"Rwanda has come a long way from its horrible past, and there has been significant progress worth celebrating, however, liberation is not a one-time event but an ongoing process that requires persistent effort and reflection,” Amah said.
"It demands that we continually strive for freedom, not only from external oppression but also from the mental and societal constraints that hold us back. True liberation means nurturing our potential and breaking free from the mental chains that prevent us from achieving greatness,” she added.
During the event, an interactive session was introduced where the audience participated in a shared writing exercise under the theme "Human Liberation." The activity allowed present attendees to express their thoughts and perspectives on what liberation means to them.
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The exercise highlighted a common sentiment among the participants: that true liberation begins within. By engaging in this collective reflection, the audience underscored the importance of personal growth and mental freedom as essential components of broader societal liberation.
Delight Asaf, a Nigerian artist, shared his thoughts on liberation, emphasizing that true liberation involves actively demanding freedom rather than passively receiving it, highlighting the role of art and creativity in driving liberation.
"Much like Fela Kuti and Bob Marley, whose music became anthems of resistance and hope, these are creatives who used their art for liberation, their words ignite flames of courage in other people, urging them to shatter the chains of mental confinement and embrace the boundless horizon of freedom,” Asaf said.
"So poets can write more poems about freedom and inspire people to break out from their mental prisons. I believe this can truly help many people, hopeful that such creative expressions would ignite change when provided space.”
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L&039;Espace, a cultural hub in Kimihurura, offers a venue for theater, music, dance showcases, photography, painting exhibitions, and diverse forms of creative expression, aiming to foster the spirit of artistic expression, providing artists with a platform to experiment and share their work with a wide audience.
Kaya Byinshii, a program planner at L'Espace provided insights into the purpose and vision of ‘U Speak Live Thursdays’ explaining that the initiative was born out of the need for a dedicated space for poets to express themselves freely.
" The importance of creating a community where poets can connect, collaborate, and grow together like today’s event, it was marked by vibrant performances and deep reflections on what liberation means on both personal and collective levels,” she said.
"The participants explored the journey of Rwanda over the past 30 years, celebrating its progress while acknowledging the ongoing need for liberation in various forms and this was helpful either on a personal level or society reflection in general.”