[PHOTOS]: Local artistes to continue with commemoration activities

Leisure and entertainment activities are expected to slowly resume beginning today after the closure of the official commemoration the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi yesterday.

Wednesday, April 13, 2016
Artistes have been actively involved in commemoration events over the last seven days. (File)

Leisure and entertainment activities are expected to slowly resume beginning today after the closure of the official commemoration the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi yesterday.

All entertainment related activities came to a halt on April 7 as the country entered the commemoration period to honour the over 1 million people killed during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

Dieudonne Munyanshoza performing at a recent commemoration event. (File)

Artistes and players in the showbiz industry also took part in activities and acts of charity aimed at supporting Genocide survivors.

Several artistes, including Maria Yohana Mukankuranga, Dieudonné Munyanshoza, Muyango, Aline Gahongayire and Intore Masamba, among others, have been at the forefront of musical activities aimed at soothing the hearts of survivors and honouring those who lost their lives during the Genocide.

Maria Yohana and Munyanshoza were involved in different events aimed at raising funds to support genocide survivors. According to Munyashonza, these activities will continue over the next month as commemoration activities are expected to continue over a period of 100 days.

Artistes perform during the vigil night. (File)

"We will continue with different activities aimed at commemorating the 1994 Genocide even though the commemoration week ended yesterday,” said the singer commonly known as Mibirizi.

The singer is expected to lead a group of artistes to Mibirizi Parish in his birthplace district of Rusizi to honour thousands of genocide victims who were killed there between April 18 and 30, 1994.

PGGSS 6 artistes pose with Genocide widows. (Courtesy)

"As an artiste who has played a role in soothing hearts and minds of people and to preserve the memory of genocide victims, it is important for me to go back to my birthplace and commemorate with the people there,”"Several artistes will join me in the cause to support vulnerable families of genocide survivors,” says Mibirizi.

During the official commemoration week, all the 10 artistes participating in the Primus Guma Guma Super Star season 6 visited a household of elderly survivors in Kayonza district.

The artistes together with officials from BRALIRWA and East African Promoters delivered sacks of rice, clothes and other household items as well as a cheque of Rwf500, 000 aimed at supporting the elderly women.

Jules Sentore and Maria Yohana perform during the night to remember at Amahoro National Stadium. (File)

"After seeing the predicament of the survivors we visited today, it is our duty as young people to take part in rebuilding our country and ensuring that what happened does not happen again,” said James Manzi "Humble Jizzo”, a member of Urban Boyz who spoke on behalf of the artistes.

The 10 musicians, including Bruce Melody, Jules Sentore, Urban Boyz, Christopher, Allioni, Danny Vumbi, Danny Nanone, Umutare Gaby, Young Grace and TBB will battle it out in PGGSS 6 which will kick off on May 14 and end onAugust 12.

PGGSS 6 contestants during their visit to Genocide widows. (Courtesy)

Elsewhere, the highly anticipated Rwanda-Burundi Night in Kampala, Uganda is taking place tomorrow Friday at the Bukoto-based Cayenne Lounge.

The night will feature performances by DeeJay Pius and Charly and Nina from Rwanda, Jose Chameleone, Radio and Weasle from Uganda and Big Fizzo from Burundi.

However, entertainment activities in Rwanda are not expected to fully pick up until at least the first week of May.

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