PHOTOS: Cantata 2016 ends on high

It was a moment city dwellers savored but as they say all good things must come to an end and so was the Christmas Cantata 2016 at Christian Life Assembly (CLA) which left many yearning for more.

Sunday, December 25, 2016

Times Reporter

The production is based on the story of the birth of Jesus through the eyes of Simeon (Jimmy Walabyeki), an elder in the Bible who received the little baby Jesus when his parents b....

It was a moment city dwellers savored but as they say all good things must come to an end and so was the Christmas Cantata 2016 at Christian Life Assembly (CLA) which left many yearning for more.

Angel dances the ballet style at the show. / Faustin Niyigena

Women in traditional dance at the beginning of the show. / Faustin Niyigena

Violist Lauren entertains at the show. / Faustin Niyigena

The drama musical centered on the birth of Jesus Christ attracted a record number of people and many took to social network to praise the 4 day experience after the final show on December 24.

Athan Tashobya (R) and Daniel Gasatura act as religious leaders at the time of Jesus' birth in the Bible. / Faustin Niyigena

Hassan Kibirango, youth pastor at CLA, thanks the audience for the huge attendance of four shows. / Faustin Niyigena

When Mary was about to deliver her first born. / Faustin Niyigena

The play which was stage first on December 21 attracted over 7, 000 people and 196 gave their lives to Jesus Christ. It was an unforgettable moment as the whole cantata team bowed out Saturday at the last show amid wild cheers from a satisfied crowd.

Attendees capture the show with their smartphones. / Faustin Niyigena

Herod the Great — acted by Gael, King of Judea's reaction after being told that there is a new king born. / Faustin Niyigena

When the angel appears to Mary, mother of Jesus, acted by Deborah Kamikazi Gasatura. / Faustin Niyigena

"We thank God for enabling us to give this gift to the city of Kigali,” said Pastor Hassan Kibirango, at the closing ceremony of Cantata 2016.

Joseph's impression when her fiancé told him that she was pregnant before their marriage. / Faustin Niyigena

People bring gifts to new born king, Jesus Christ. / Faustin Niyigena

Daniel Mugisha, the overall director of the Christmas cantata, described it as 4 days of sweat and six months of hard work trying to prepare the best.

Dancers in African dance yesterday / Faustin Niyigena

Jesus' mother hands on the baby to her fiancé Joseph as people worship the new born king. / Faustin Niyigena

The hard work paid off as many took to social media to commend the experience.

Some attendees in prayer after watching the show of cantata at CLA. / Faustin Niyigena

The audience at the show. / Faustin Niyigena

"When we talk about developing the creative industry, I believe in the musicals category CLA Rwanda showed us how it should be done with Cantata250,” Alex Ntale, one of the revelers posted on Twitter.

Fabrice Nzeyimana, art and creative director at CLA, leads the audience in a song during the show. / Faustin Niyigena

Jesus' mother's fiancé, Joseph acted by Ivan Higiro was a carpenter. / Faustin Niyigena

Flavia Gwiza, another fan praised the preparations as she described it as "the only show she has ever attended that starts on time in Kigali.

The church choir did its best to entertain. / Faustin Niyigena

The production's director, Daniel Mugisha (in black suit), presents the team yesterday after the fourth show at the closing of closing this year's cantata. / Faustin Niyigena

For Dany Rugamba, "Cantata 250 was [the] ultimate beauty this evening. To CLA Rwanda team behind the production kudos!”editorial@newtimes.co.rw