The annual Our Past event is back and will be taking place on April 9, at Kigali Genocide Memorial from 5pm-8pm. The evening intends to offer an inspirational safe space to listen and learn about the nation’s past to better connect with the milestones that led the country to where it is today.

"I believe that by understanding our past, we can work together to create a brighter future,” Christian Intwari, founder of Our Past Initiative told The New Times.

Presented through art forms such as dance, poetry, theatre and drama, Our Past Initiative events aim at educating Rwanda’s younger generations on the country’s tragic history, with the hope the consistent message will keep the community firmly rooted in unity.

The panel of discussions which will involve two guests including Laure Iyaga, founder of Sana Initiative, as well as Claver Irakoze, author of ‘That Child is Me.’ Junior Rumaga, Mxnzi Le Poète and students from Gashora Girls Academy will be the main performers at the event.

With 11 years in the making, Our Past Initiative is a non-government organization whose primary role entails engaging the youth within and outside the country in community outreach programs and annual events during the commemoration week of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi between April 7 and 14.

Also read: ‘Our Past’: Helping youth understand history, guarantee peaceful future

Since 2012, when it was founded, Our Past Initiative has grown in participation and attendance of its events, from 400 to 2,300 in Rwanda. The majority of Our Past’s events take place during the commemoration period.

Over the years, it has also extended its wings to other countries from different parts of the world whereby members of ‘Sick City Entertainment Group’ who are based in other countries hold similar events in their respective countries for young Rwandans in the Diaspora and other attendees.