Mashirika released a play in a way to pay tribute and express gratitude to everyone who contributed in the fight for freedom and liberation of Rwanda.

Mashirika Performing Arts and Media Company which is known for being at the forefront of using theatre for development and using art in various forms to tell the message of Rwanda, especially, made a play which is so ‘touching and heart melting’.

The New Times had an interview with Hope Azeda, the Director of Mashirika Performing Arts and Media Company and here are the excerpts

What is the story in this play and why did you name it ‘Labor of Love’?

Labor of love is a tribute to all the freedom fighters who dedicated their lives to liberate the country from the evil of the Genocide. The name of the piece stems from the fact that it was a great sacrifice. Many lost their lives, were injured and badly traumatized but it was all for the love of our nation.

Where did the inspiration come from?

The inspiration came from the story of Rwandans and their spirit of resilience, the courage to pick up their broken pieces, stitch them together and move on.

How long did it take you to make that play?

Everyone contributed to the piece, we all took our time to reflect individually and express our emotions but once we got together to assemble the piece, we took about an hour to mould a unified story. We shared our personal accounts, as we sat in a circle and that moment consolidated the piece.

Why did you make the story in form of play?

We made it in the form of a play because we meant to take our audience through the journey, healing and liberation. We felt that every moment needs to be paid attention to and so through this performance we told our story.

Why choose the singers mostly for the play?

The artists in the play are: Delah Dube - a poet, Auben Hirwa - a dancer, Serge - a singer, Peace Jolis (a singer), Moshe Mutangana, Karangwa digital artits-. There are not enough artistic tools to tell the story of Rwanda, we are always challenged and hence we explore different forms poetry, music, drama, movement and dance.

How did you manage to combine modern music and contemporary dance as well as the cultural/traditional instruments?

The client’s concept briefs give direction. Mashirika is constantly searching for new ways and forms to bring stories to life… most of the artist are truly gifted with multiple skills.

Is there any specific reason behind seeing only youth in the play?

We were commissioned by Rwandan youth living in Australia for the Amateka series virtual conference. We therefore felt it fit to have a young cast.

Who wrote ‘Labor of Love’

It was a collaboration under the direction of Hope Azeda, every artist was asked to create in response to what healing and liberation meant to them. However, it is a gift to the whole country, and this way, every Rwandan who still longs for healing or wishes to celebrate our great heroes own it. We were commissioned to create 10 minutes’ art of work but it’s open for growth.

Hope Azeda also reminded everyone about the 7th Edition of ‘Ubumuntu Festival’ and express the gratitude, "We just want Rwandans and everyone who loves Mashirika to know that we appreciate them and that LABOR OF LOVE is a gift that came from our hearts to them.