Poets and performer from the Great Lakes region convened in Kigali for a two-day slam poetry evening dubbed Ijabo Slam Festival. Held at Institut Français in Kigali from October 10-11, the event attracted poets from Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo and host nation Rwanda to foster unity and empowering emerging artists. Under the theme “Imbaraga z'Ijambo,” (The Power of Words) the festival aimed at inspiring positive change and build community through the transformative medium of spoken word. The event featured a rich lineup of performances, workshops, exhbition and collaborative sessions that highlighted the diverse voices of poets from the region. ALSO READ: Inaugural slam collective marks new era for poets Sylvester Nsengimana, a Rwandan artist and cultural entrepreneur who founded Umut Arts Rwanda, initiated the festival as a platform for artists to showcase their talents. “Ijabo Slam Festival was born from our 'U Speak Live' events, where we give young talented artists a place to perform, I wanted to create something bigger, to unite poets from different countries and provide them with an opportunity for greater exposure,” said Nsengimana. “The festival aimed to showcase the powerful impact of words by uniting countries in the Great Lakes region, such as Rwanda, Burundi, and the DRC, which have experienced regional conflicts.” “The goal was to foster peace and demonstrate that people from different backgrounds can come together, collaborate, and achieve something meaningful. Now, with the festival successfully concluded, we've shown that unity and cooperation are indeed possible,” he added. With the support of partners such as Institut Français, La Benevolencia, and L'Espace, the festival successfully shone a spotlight on the power of poetry. Nsengimana described the event's theme as a reflection of the profound impact that words can have, particularly in a region with a history of conflict. “Ijabo Slam Festival stands as a testament to the unifying power of poetry, fostering cultural exchange and inspiring artists to use their voices for positive change in their communities, the resounding message remained clear: together, through the power of words, a brighter future can be crafted for the Great Lakes region,” he said. ALSO READ: Tracing the evolution of modern poetry in Rwanda Carine Maniraguha, a prominent slam poet, emphasized the festival's role in uniting artists from the Great Lakes region. “The festival fosters collaboration and gives poets in Rwanda a platform to express themselves boldly. By working with more experienced poets from our neighboring countries, we can elevate the poetry scene not just locally, but across Africa,” she said. “We share similarities in our poetry, but one thing we can learn from them is their frequency of performances, both locally and internationally. They’re more active than us in Rwanda, but we’re working to change that. Through collaboration, cultural shifts, and more opportunities, we can bring ourselves to the stage more often.” Osée Elektra is a Goma-based artist who was representing DRC at the festival. He expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to learn from fellow poets. “Being in the company of artists from diverse backgrounds enriches our perspectives and broadens our understanding of poetry. As a peace activist, I appreciated the festival's mission to promote peace through art, especially during times of political tension,” he said. Also representing Goma was slam poet Franky Dheve who shared her experience collaborating with Rwandan artists despite language barriers. “It was an honor to work on stage with other artists from Rwanda. Communication bariers did not stop us from enjoying the experience, and I look forward to returning for future performances,” she said. The festival exceeded expectations, according to the organisers and people who attende the festival. Nsengimana is already contemplating the future of Ijabo Slam Festival with a bold ambition to make it an annual event that continues to bring together artists from the Great Lakes region. “Many artists have expressed appreciation for what we've achieved, and I plan to reflect on this first edition as we prepare for next year’s festival,” he said.
