The Rwandan community living in Turkey, diplomats, government representatives and members of the business community and academia last week met to celebrate the 25 anniversary of the Liberation Day that was observed in the country on July 4.

According to a statement from the embassy, the celebrations were marked with two events; a Business Forum and a Liberation Day reception/dinner.

Addressing the gathering, the Rwandan ambassador to Turkey, Williams Nkurunziza said that for Rwandans Liberation Day is more than a date in history.

"It is a defining moment, an enduring symbol of our people’s courage against injustice, their collective rejection of genocide ideology and commitment to defend their dignity,” Nkurunziza told the guests.

The celebrations were composed of two events: a Business Forum and a Liberation Day Reception/Dinner.

Ambassadors and other officials during Liberation Day.

During the Business Forum, Hakan Karasoy, whose company investment invested about 350$ to generate about 80MW of electricity from peat in Southern Province gave a testimony of his decision to invest in Rwanda as well as the country’s attractive investment environment.

He encouraged other Turkish investors to expand their operations into Rwanda given the country’s competitive investment incentives, good governance and business opportunities.

Speaking during the Forum, Nkurunziza gave a detailed presentation highlighting the current business environment as well as investment and trade opportunities in Rwanda.

He also pointed to Rwanda’s strategic position as launching pad for manufacturing operations targeting the large market of 80 million consumers in her immediate hinterland.

Nkurunziza thanked all guests for their solidarity and friendship as Rwanda celebrates her Liberation from her past of tyranny to the present of hope and dignity.

In explaining why Rwanda celebrates Liberation Day, the Ambassador noted: "In 1994, a storm of madness plunged Rwanda into reprehensible bloodletting that claimed over a million lives in the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi.  The Genocide was stopped on 4th July 1994, by RPF/RPA forces led by H.E President Paul Kagame.”

For all Rwandans, he added, Liberation Day is more than a date in history; it is a defining moment; an enduring symbol of our people’s courage against injustice; their collective rejection of genocide ideology and commitment to defend their dignity.

"Liberation is also an enduring symbol and affirmation of Rwandans right to pursue programmes at home and secure relationship abroad that will free them from want by building shared prosperity underpinned by peace and security”, he added.

While acknowledging that the journey is still long and much remains to be done in achieving Rwanda’s aspirations, the envoy assured the guests that much will be achieved because "today Rwanda is united and strong; peaceful and secure; resilient and efficient; compassionate and dignified.”

Guests to Liberation Day celebrations were entertained with Rwandan cultural dances performed by Izogeye Cultural troupe, a group composed of Rwandan students in Turkey.