Rapper Bushali and vocalist Alyn Sano are leading the performance lineup for the forthcoming 2024 Ikirenga Culture Tourism Festival which returns to Musanze town from October 12-18. The festival serves as a celebration of culture diversity heritage, tourism and artistic expression and showcasing the rich heritage of the nation while fostering community engagement and economic development. It also aims to highlight Rwanda's diverse cultural expressions through a variety of activities, including traditional performances, art exhibitions, culinary showcases, and workshops and seminars. “This festival is not just about celebrating our past, but also about building a sustainable future through cultural tourism and exchange. We invite everyone to join us in honoring our heritage and exploring the vibrant culture of Rwanda and our partner nations,” Pierre Hakizimana, the festival organizer told The New Times. Hakizimana said that the festival will this time round incorporate a cultural exchange component featuring countries like Angola, Pakistan and Uganda to not only enhance the its diversity but to also promote cultural dialogue among participating nations. According to the schedule, the seven-day festival will highlight an opening ceremony carnival where performers from all participating nations will take the stage to celebrate cultural diversity through music, dance and artistic expression. Traditional dances and music from various Rwandan regions will be performed as a special occasion for performers to showcase culture of each country. Rwanda’s Bushali and Alyn Sano will stage the opening of the festival alongside Sintex, Papa Cyangwe, Ngola Som Band, Payo, Helvy and Ishalah. Ikirenga Culture Tourism Festival is an annual culture-tourism event that coincides with the Baby Gorilla Naming Ceremony “Kwita Izina”, allowing participants and visitors to witness and participate in a vibrant celebration of Rwanda’s cultural heritage. The festival’s first and second edition attracted over 10,000 participants locally, regionally and internationally. To promote cultural exchange, the festival provides a platform for embassies, international schools, and NGOs operating in Rwanda to showcase their countries' cultures and traditions, which enhances cultural exchange, understanding and appreciation. Ikirenga Art and Culture Promotion is a non-profit organization in Rwanda that passionately believes in the transformative power of arts, culture, and tourism. Through its various initiatives and strategic collaborations, the organization aims to promote cultural exchange and make arts, culture, and tourism as catalysts for socio-economic development. This year’s edition brings a new initiative by inviting Uganda as a guest country at the festival to showcase the two countries’ culture exchange. The event will leverage an all-around approach by bringing together different artists and stakeholders to engage in different culture exchange activities.
