First Lady Jeannette Kagame inaugurates the “Jardin de la Mémoire” (Garden of Memory) as Bruce Clarke, the artistic advisor during the construction of the garden looks on, at Nyanza-Kicukiro Genocide memorial on Sunday, September 11.
First Lady Jeannette Kagame, on Sunday, September 11, inaugurates the "Jardin de la Mémoire” (Garden of Memory) at Nyanza-Kicukiro Genocide Memorial.
The garden lies on three hectares of land, and is constructed to symbolically depict what happened in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, the life and rebirth of the nation after the dark history.
The garden comprises various features that depict how the victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi were killed, how some managed to survive, and the resilience of Rwandans post-genocide.
It comprises a small pond and an artificial swamp for remembering those who were killed and thrown into water bodies, a pit for those who were thrown into pits, a sorghum garden for those who survived by hiding there, among other features.
The place also has small artificial hills for commemorating those who died on hills as they fled for their lives, some flowers that symbolise affection to the departed souls, as well as a flame of remembrance that shows the hope that Rwandans have for a bright future.
In nutshell the place symbolises life and rebirth after the Genocide against the Tutsi, as well as the protection that was offered by nature during the Genocide in which over a million lives were lost.
Through pictures, Dan Nsengiyumva, The New Times photographer covered the inauguration of the garden and brought pictures that highlight different important parts of the place.
First Lady Jeannette Kagame inaugurates the "Jardin de la Mémoire” (Garden of Memory) as Bruce Clarke, the artistic advisor during the construction of the garden looks on, at Nyanza-Kicukiro Genocide memorial on Sunday, September 11.
The meditation corridor : At this place, mourners can come and relax, and do some reflection on the history they’ve learnt about.
Visitors on walkways that are in the garden.
Jardin de la Mémoire” (Garden of Memory) symbolizes life and rebirth after the Genocide against the Tutsi, as well as the protection that was offered by nature during the Genocide in which over a million lives were lost.
Sorghum garden: Sorghum played a big role because a lot of Tutsis hid there and were able to survive, one of the reasons it is also depicted in the garden.
A view of the amphitheatre to host Kwibuka events. It has the capacity to host more than 3500 people sitting.
First Lady Jeannette Kagame with other officials, Jean-Damascène Bizimana, the Minister for National Unity and Civic Engagement, Egide Nkuranga, the president of IBUKA, Pudence Rubingisa, the Mayor of Kigali City ,and Bruce Clarke, the artistic advisor during the construction of the garden during the inauguration
Sitting on 3 hectares of land, the garden comprises various features that depict how the victims of the Genocide were killed, how some managed to survive, and the resilience of Rwandans post-genocide.
The place also has small artificial hills for commemorating those who died on hills as they fled for their lives, some flowers that symbolize affection to the departed souls,
Water and the mush area that symbolizes the tragic way that some Tutsi went through in swamps ,marshland and in rivers during the Genocide against the Tutsi
A view of the amphitheatre to host Kwibuka events. It has the capacity to host more than 3500 people sitting.
First Lady Jeannette Kagame with other dignitaries and members of the community observe a moment of silence to pay tribute to the victims of the Genocide Against the Tutsi.
Pit icon: It symbolizes Tutsis who were thrown in pits and holes.
The place also has small artificial hills for commemorating those who died on hills as they fled for their lives, some flowers that symbolizJe affection to the departed souls,
A monument of upright men in the garden is a symbol of the resilience of Genocide survivors who decided to move forward and move on with life.
Water and the mush area that symbolize the tragic way that some Tutsi went through in swamps ,marshland and in rivers during the Genocide against the Tutsi
Jardin de la Mémoire” (Garden of Memory) is located at Nyanza-Kicukiro Genocide Memorial .