Unveil Africa Fest, a celebration of Africa’s rich, diverse and vibrant cultural heritage is scheduled to take place for its first time in Kigali on December 7.
Organized by Unveil Africa Ltd, the festival will see a lineup of renowned culture musicians performing live at Kigali Conference and Exhibition Village (KCEV) formerly Camp Kigali.
In the festival, organisers seek to create an event that not only celebrates art and culture but also fosters a sense of pride and unity within the African community. The event serves as a platform for African artists, performers and creators to showcase their talents to a broader audience, promoting a deeper appreciation of the continent’s cultural legacy.
It also aims to serve as a bridge between Africa’s past, present, and future, offering a dynamic and immersive experience for both Rwandans and international guests. Through this event, the organizers seek to honor African roots, inspire future generations and promote cross-cultural understanding.
Among the performers lined up for the festival are "Intayoberana cultural troupe, Victor Rukotana, Ruti Joel, Himbaza Club, a popular group of Burundian drummers, Chris Neat, Jeisha and Siboyintore among others.
Explaining how the idea to organize the festival came about, Clarisse Uwase, the Co-Founder and Managing Director of Unveil Africa Ltd, said, "I grew up with the stories and songs of my ancestors, passed down around the warmth of the evening fire.”
"For me, these stories were more than just tales; they were a link to my past, a source of pride, and a reminder of the legacy I carry. But as I grew older, I noticed a gap—a growing disconnection between the younger generation and the traditions that shaped Africa’s identity”
"This realization sparked a fire within me to preserve and share Africa’s cultural treasures with a world that seems to be moving too fast to remember them," Uwase added.
The same was emphasized by Uwase’s partner Moisie Uwiragiye who has always had an eye for the arts.
"From a young age, I found myself drawn to the rhythm of African drums and the stories woven into African dance. To me, each drumbeat, every stroke of paint, and every song is a testament to the resilience and creativity of African people," he said.
The two organizers were united by their love for Africa and its rich cultural heritage; however, their journey together began long before Unveil Africa was born, rooted in a shared dream to celebrate the beauty of Africa and connect it to the world.
With the event’s objectives to provide opportunities for the audience to experience and appreciate the wealth of artistic forms of African civilization such as music, dance, poetry, costume design and visual art, they intend to advocate for and empower the African artistic and performance communities.
To build a complete cultural experience that enhances appreciation, oneness, and pride within the African communities and beyond as well as facilitate and foster engagement between businesses and people involved in the culture business in Africa, ‘Unveil Africa Fest’ will hold a fashion showcase, drummer’s performances, Rwandan traditional dance, solo music performances and an after party with different deejays.