"Artists need to develop the culture of professionalism and to maintain the Rwandan culture,” the Minister for Culture and Sports, Joseph Habineza said over the weekend.

The Minister was officiating at a conference with heads of cultural troupes in Kigali, at the MINISPEC Hall on Saturday.
Habineza explained that the main cause for the conference was to advise artists to make their career more professional, and to protect the Rwandan culture.

"Adopting other cultures isn’t bad, but we ought to maintain and protect our own culture,” Habineza said. "When performing dances from other cultures, artists must explain the type of dance, and where it is from, to avoid misleading the audience.”

"Normally, it’s expected for artists to educate the public through music, dance with the fact that the message would be carried through in the best way,” Habineza added.

In his remarks, Habineza urged artists to be original and advertise their work. "Make your collections more appealing, so that even foreigners get a reason to enjoy the Rwandan cultural music.”  

Habineza further revealed that the ministry in conjunction with Kigali City Council are in negotiations to build a cultural centre dubbed "Rwanda Village” in Kanombe.

"The centre will be located at the residence of the former president, Juvenal Habyarimana, and will attract, mostly tourists.”

The head of the association of cultural troupes in Rwanda, Albert Mwanafunzi said that it was a great opportunity for the troupes to meet with the Minister.

"We’re glad the Ministry is planning to build a cultural centre. We have been given only two weeks to present the proposal of the cultural centre to the Ministry.”

Ends