‘U Speak Live’ brought poetry enthusiasts together in a dazzling celebration of Rwandan culture under the theme of Umuganura, an ancient thanksgiving tradition. This unique event, first launched in May this year, has quickly become a cherished platform for poets and art lovers alike, on August 1, at L’ Espace Kimihurura. Grace Uwizeye, also known as poet Choki Grace, said that the day's theme, Umugandura, was a nod to Rwanda's rich cultural heritage, highlighting that the day has become more diverse. ALSO READ: School feeding takes center stage in Umuganura celebrations “We are thankful for the things we harvest, the people in our lives, and, as expressed in the poems, for love, family, and being here. It is no longer about harvest but anything we value in life,” she said. Uwizeye also shared why they chose to integrate Umuganura into the poetry industry. “Poetry is inherently cultural in Rwanda. Historically, people would gather at night to recite poems, dance, and sing traditionally. Poetry helps us recall our history, and by preserving our culture in these art forms, it will be discovered by future generations,” she said. Reflecting on the event's success, she said, “It went as we expected, maybe even more due to the engaging audience.” Shafi Niyonsenga, a poet who also spoke at the event, explained the significance of Umuganura, as an ancient Rwandan event that celebrated the end of the harvest in August. “It involves gathering harvests, making plans for the next year, and sharing with those less fortunate. Umuganura emphasizes working hard, never giving up, and sharing,” he noted. Connecting Umuganura with poetry, Niyonsenga pointed out that poetry has been performed during these events for many years, even in ancient times, poetry would bring people together to share and celebrate which is still needed. Niyosenga also said that U Speak Live allows him to share his thoughts, advice, and perspectives with others. He believes that, by participating in such events, poets can grow and connect with their audience, making a difference through their words and performances. “These events make me excited because I love participating in open mics and sharing my poems with other poets or audiences. U Speak Live was an answer to my thoughts and wishes, providing a platform for poets like me, he said. According to Hassan Rukundo, a U Speak Live participant, said that he was particularly impressed with the event's Thanksgiving theme. “The theme has been Thanks giving, I have loved the theme because it has enabled us to interact very well. The audience has been so good, everyone wanting to share their ideas, he said. “People have participated. Almost every person in the audience has been active. It has really brought to our ideology that we should learn a lot and we should be grateful. One of the key points we have realized is to love, to be grateful. You know, people have to be grateful that people have actually loved them. Very many people don't realize the love they have until it's lost.” Rukundo also said that they tried to analyze the benefits of thanksgiving to humanity, highlighting the profound impact of the event on all who attended. U Speak Live under the theme of Umuganura was a resounding success, celebrating culture and poetry while fostering a deeper understanding of gratitude and community among participants.
