AWARD winning American songstress and actress Lauryn Hill who has been in the country for the 7th Pan-African Dance and Music Festival (FESPAD) yesterday said that she has been greatly amazed by the country’s progress and the rich culture.

Speaking to the press shortly before departing, Ms Hill as she is commonly known, said that she would not hesitate coming back for a second time to enjoy the great hospitality the country has to offer and defined her visit as "a major comeback to Africa and Rwanda.”

"I am just excited to be here. I found Rwanda a country rich with culture and beautiful people. I am very excited about the progress I am seeing, it very hopeful,”

"I just came back from the memorial museum and what I saw was touching, powerful, important and extremely necessary,” Hill said in an interview.

The former Fugeez star said that 13 years ago when she visited the continent, she went to Kenya but was advised against travelling to Rwanda for her safety and her pregnancy at the time but added that she had finally fulfilled her dream to come to Rwanda.

"The culture is rich, the people are beautiful, I would like to come back and visit for sometime,” Hill said.

She added that she was impressed by the annual festival which brings together various artistes and that through music the festival can play an enormous role in rebuilding the country and marketing Rwanda as a country.

"I am happy to have been part of this exciting skill and talent showcasing event. It is really exciting,” Hill said.
She further said that it is wrong for people in foreign countries to quickly judge Rwanda before coming down to see what is really happening and what the people are doing to move forward.

The 35 year old songbird is one of the many international artistes the weeklong festival has drawn to the country.

The climax on Saturday is expected feature prominent Nigerian award winning musician D’banj as well as other prominent artistes from the region.

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