Rwanda Hosts Umurage International Books and Art Festival to Champion Cultural Renaissance

By ELIAS HAKIZIMANA.

KIGALI, October 2, 2025 – The Kigali Genocide Memorial became a vibrant hub of creativity this week as writers, artists, journalists, and cultural advocates gathered for the Umurage International Books and Art Festival, a three-day celebration of literature and heritage held from October 1 to 3 under the theme “Cultural Renaissance: The Power of Arts, Heritage and Storytelling.”

The festival, organized by the Ministry of Youth and Arts in partnership with AEGIS Trust and Arise Education, seeks to strengthen Rwanda’s creative industry by promoting reading, storytelling, and cultural preservation.

At the heart of the festival’s discussions was Gasana Mutesi, Founder of Arise Education and a published author, who has emerged as one of Rwanda’s leading voices in advancing literacy and nurturing the next generation of writers.

Speaking during a panel on “The Role of the Media in Promoting Fiction Writing and Publishing,” Mutesi underscored the importance of passion, patience, and purpose in the writing journey.

“Writers should not be driven by money. When you write with passion and purpose, the financial rewards follow naturally,” Mutesi said. “Fiction writing plays a vital role in protecting Rwanda’s culture, values, and national identity.”

She also shed light on the persistent challenges facing the local publishing industry, including high production costs, limited numbers of qualified editors, and a lack of supportive infrastructure.

“Editors are few, and those available are often overwhelmed with other clients’ work. Sometimes you wait up to six months for an editing slot. We also need to build more capacity to help writers create content that resonates with readers, especially children,” she added.

Other panelists echoed her call for collective action to strengthen Rwanda’s literary ecosystem. Journalist Aissa Cyiza highlighted the media’s role in cultivating a culture of reading and writing. “As journalists, we encourage people to read—and eventually, the love of reading becomes the love of writing,” she said.

The festival continues through October 3 with storytelling workshops, art exhibitions, and book fairs, aiming to inspire a new generation of Rwandan storytellers and creative thinkers who will carry forward the country’s rich heritage through the power of words and art.

theinspirerpublications@gmail.com