Artists get a place at Presidential palace turned into Art Museum

Elias Hakizimana May 19, 2018May 20, 2018 0 Comments

By Elias Hakizimana

Besides its role of keeping national memories, Rwanda Art Museum also known as former Presidential palace museum which is located at Kanombe near the Airport was given to local artists as a new platform to sell and exhibit their artworks.

The museum that attracts hundreds of local and international tourists daily was a presidential residence hosting Rwanda’s presidents and their families. The former President who resided there is Juvenal Habyarimana.

Speaking last evening during the celebration of international day of museum which took place at Rwanda Art Museum, the Director General of the Institute of National Museums of Rwanda Amb. Robert Masozera said that they considered how to make the museum accessible to local artists for the visibility, accessibility and sale of their products.

“The specialty is that this museum has dedicated a part of it to local artists to sell their products. They will be using it also during the competitions, shows and presentations of their artworks,” said Masozera.

“The Museum remains the government property but we give access to local artists to work in it,” he added.

Being near the Kigali International Airport, the house is a strategic tool of showcasing Rwandan Culture through tourism where foreigners can take a moment to learn about the history of Rwanda before their due plane takes off.

Beneficiaries speak

Bernard Birasa, one of professional artists of Rwanda told The Inspirer that the museum will help them to improve their artwork business and sell products.

Birasa was interested in acquiring skills in Arts at Nyundo School of Arts and has trained many children including his son called Birasa in order to preserve the professionalism when he is old.

He sells his artworks in Addis-Ababa, Canada, Gabon-Libre Ville, etc. one of things that makes him happy is to see his son performing the same talent.

“My Future is good; I am old but I trained children including my son Birasa, it touches my heart to have a child to give this inheritance,” Birasa said.