Preparations are in full swing for the Kigali Dutarame, a concert which will exclusively feature performances of Rwanda's top Gakondo artistes at BK Arena on Saturday, November 22.
Organized by the City of Kigali in partnership with MTN Rwanda, the concert boasts a star-studded lineup featuring prominent local artistes including Massamba Intore, Teta Diana, Ruti Joel, Jules Sentore, and Boukuru.
The performances will also see renowned cultural troupes such as Ishyaka Ry’intore, Indatirwabahizi, Inganzongari, Inyamibwa, and Ibihame by’imana taking the stage.
Addressing the media on Wednesday, November 11, Emma-Claudine Ntirenganya, the spokesperson for the City of Kigali, explained that the concert aligns with the city's vision of creating a vibrant cultural destination for the growing number of tourists visiting Rwanda and the city in particular.
ALSO READ: Why ‘Gakondo’ might be the future of Rwandan music
"This time we focused more on Gakondo music to promote our culture. As you know, UNESCO recently inscribed Rwanda&039;s Intore dance on its Intangible Cultural Heritage List, highlighting the impact of Rwandan culture on the global stage. This concert will help push our culture to even greater heights," Ntirenganya said.
Alain Numa, the Corporate Social Responsibility Manager at MTN Rwanda, emphasized the company's commitment to supporting local talent, particularly cultural artistes who showcase Rwanda's roots and heritage.
"We're looking forward to a great cultural night that will leave a lasting mark on Rwanda's Gakondo music scene. For our customers, this will be an excellent opportunity to interact with us. We'll have various stands to serve clients and address any concerns," Numa said.
Massamba, the event's main headliner, commended the progress of Gakondo music, which is increasingly attracting investment from major companies, and urged more organizations to support the sector.
ALSO READ: How Rwandan diaspora is promoting Gakondo to the world
"We&039;ve worked hard to reach a point where big companies and the Government of Rwanda believe in our music. This indicates real progress, and we hope more partners will join us in supporting this sector," Massamba highlighted.
For Teta Diana, performing at Kigali Dutarame holds special significance as she'll share the stage with some of Rwanda's pioneering Gakondo musicians.
"I'm happy to be back home and share the stage with my old friends. We have a lot in store and can't wait to showcase it to our fans," Teta noted.
Tickets for Kigali Dutarame concert are already available via https://ticqet.rw/.