PHOTOS: Tying Knots: How Rwandan contemporary women artistes' exhibition unfolded in Luxembourg

Rwanda’s renowned female visual artists and curator Jemima Kakizi showcased unique art skills in a colorful vernissage of the “Tying Knots” exhibition held at Niederanven Commune in Luxembourg on June 21. The exhibition was a celebration of unity, collaboration, and empowerment, with themes that resonate deeply in the works of her art mates Eloise Irakarama, Jennifer Tuyishimire, Clementine Uwimpuhwe, Christine Niyonsenga and Sandrine Irakoze. ALSO READ: Tying Knots: Rwandan women artists take art exhibition to Luxembourg The event, which brought together art enthusiasts from Luxembourg and Rwanda among other various nationalities, showcased Rwanda’s splendor and its cultural heritage, representing its transformation as it emerged from one chapter of its history into a new prosperous era. The exhibition, which runs until June 30, explores various themes, including friendship, resilience, and the importance of environmental conservation. The opening night was marked by a lively and diverse turnout, with attendees from all walks of life. The presence of the Rwandan diaspora in Luxembourg added a special touch to the event, as they performed traditional Rwandan songs, infusing the evening with cultural vibrancy. The mayor of Niederanven, Fred Ternes, graced the occasion, emphasizing the communal support and international solidarity that underpin the exhibition. Reginald Kayitana, the president of Rwanda Diaspora in Luxembourg and his deputy Hergesell Victoire Vanny were also among notable attendees at the exhibition. “Tying Knots” offered attendees a poetic tour of Rwanda, representing the country through the artists’ perspectives. Each artwork, Kakizi said, serves as a powerful visual narrative, with the artists' diverse stories interlaced like the symbolic knots referenced in the exhibition's title. According to the Rwandan art curator, the exhibition stands as a beautiful metaphor for the strength found in unity, much like the knots it symbolizes, and offers a hopeful vision for a future built on collaborations. “That is what I see when I think of how the idea came to life, from the support we got from mentors and art spaces in Kigali to the mentorship program that started the exhibition to being here in Luxembourg,” Kakizi told The New Times. Organized in collaboration with Impundu Arts from Rwanda and Amitie Am Sand Amizero NGDO from Luxembourg, the exhibition was supported by the Niederanven Commune and the Ministry of Culture in Luxembourg to highlight the power of art to foster community and understanding. ‘Tying Knots’ is open to the public until June 30 at Kulturhaus Niederanven in Luxembourg, providing an opportunity for visitors to immerse themselves in the rich cultural and artistic expressions on display.

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PHOTOS: Tying Knots: How Rwandan contemporary women artistes' exhibition unfolded in Luxembourg