CREATIVES, cultural entrepreneurs, the public and decision-makers from Africa, Europe and the rest of the world, are this week expected in Paris, France for a two-day meeting dubbed ‘Movement of Creatives Africas (MOCA)’ to discuss challenges, opportunities and innovations offered by culture and creative industries. MOCA, which happens in its sixth edition, is an annual meeting place dedicated to professionals of African cultures across the globe. Themed “Africa for Future”, the event will time be held physically in Paris and live-streamed for the rest of the world via the MOCA online platform. This “pan-African creative market place” targets to meet expectations expressed by professionals and the public, through two days of conferences, speed meetings, workshops, networking and festivals. The MOCA2021 is labeled “Africa 2020”, an initiative by the president of France, Emmanuel Macron, which will be the first and largest meetup of African cultures in Europe, bringing to France the 54 African countries to meet, collaborate and show the world a better image of Africa to change the narratives. Special place for Rwanda This year at the Moca 2021, Rwanda will be the honorary guest country, among 30 invited countries. Therefore, Rwanda will send a delegation to France physically and via virtual interventions to showcase Rwanda’s creativity, and showcase Rwanda’s cultural and creative scenes to the rest of the world online. Raoul Rugamba, one of the delegates expected at the meeting, told The New Times that MOCA is an important occasion for Rwanda towards building links and opportunities for local creatives, to do business with other countries, including creatives from France. “It is also a great opportunity to use art, culture and creativity through the partnership the City of Kigali has with the city of Paris,” he said. Besides government officials, the country will be represented by a host of established figures in the creative industry including artists and executives in the creative industry business varying from events managers and creative directors, among others. Rwandan artist Crista Uwase with some of her craft. Among the delegation of Rwanda, include City Mayor Pudence Rubingisa, Rwanda Development Board’s Deputy CEO Zephanie Niyonkuru, the CEO of Rwanda Society of Authors Jean De Dieu Turinimana and Ishyo Arts Centre founder Carole Karemera. Others include Dorcy Rugamba, the founder of Rwanda Art Initiative, Positive Production CEO, Roman ‘Judo’ Kanobana, Africa in Colors’ founder Raoul Rugamba and Robert Mugisha, the Founder of Dopeapps as well as France-based renowned Rwandan artist Shannel Nirere. The upcoming MOCA 2021, is also expected to surge business opportunities between actors of the culture and the creative industry in Rwanda and the rest of the world. Rugamba said that, thanks to experiences from the MOCA meeting, local artists and creators will be able to export their products or services on a global market, and Rwanda will have an opportunity to invite creators and major players of the culture and creative industry from all over the world, to come to Rwanda and do business around culture and arts. “We truly hope Rwandan creatives get to export their talents, products or services through this platform. Also, as Rwandans, we hope that the world discovers the country, comes to create and build things that will go global,” Rugamba told The New Times. About MOCA Organised in partnership with the French Ministry of Culture, the MOCA promotes and synergizes the actors of this ecosystem in order to ensure sustainable production that creates value and employment for young people. Since it was initiated by the African Cultures Center (CCA) in 2016, the multidisciplinary platform for African cultural and creative industries has so far brought together more than 50 countries since its foundation.
