Themed ‘Linking Arts, Culture, and Conservation,’ Red Rocks Cultural Festival is back with the intent to promote cultural heritage, community conservation, and empower economic growth. The culture carnival that kicks off on Friday, August 25 to September 1, from 2 pm, at the Red Rocks campsite and intercultural exchange center Musanze –Nyakinama, is set to showcase diversity, unity, and harmony. ALSO READ: Red Rocks unveils plan to spur conservation through culture According to Douglas Mugerwa, the PR and communications manager for Red Rocks, the festival will be a captivating array of performances, workshops, interactive sessions, cultural exchange programs, and community debates and tours. The festival will also craft an environment where people can come together, share their traditions, and foster a sense of unity. “Attendees will embark on a journey of discovery, understanding, and appreciating the cultures that make Rwanda vibrant and fascinating,” Mugerwa said. He added that the main stage will feature an impressive lineup of performers, including musicians, dancers, and artists representing different community groups. In addition, revelers will be treated to a series of music, dance, and drama performances, including the ‘Red Rocks Twataramye’, an exhilarating performance that reflects on the essence of Rwandan traditions through songs, riddles, folk stories, and proverbs, as well as contemporary traditional music, among other live performances. “The festival will also host workshops and interactive sessions that will allow attendees to actively participate in learning about diverse cultures, from cooking demonstrations featuring international cuisines to language workshops. Attendants will acquire hands-on experience and gain deeper insights into the cultures they encounter,” he shared. Come August 26, starting from 2 pm, the community’s talented youth are expected to perform in a village talent show, presenting their abilities in music, among other art performances,” Mugerwa explains. The audience will later experience the rhythmic beats of Rwanda’s traditional drums with daily drum cycle sessions conducted by local artisans on August 28, at 2 pm. To contribute to boosting sustainability and environmental preservation, the festival will dedicate August 29, and August 30 to engage in discussions on community conservation around the Virunga transboundary area. Mugerwa noted that participants will also partake in insightful debates and later enjoy a group tour in appreciating the natural marvels of Rwanda fully, and relish an evening of networking and enjoying refreshing cocktails at the festival grounds. The festival will also exhibit an art and craft bazaar where locals will display their traditional crafts and artworks such as handcrafted items, allowing attendants to purchase unique souvenirs, yet at the same time supporting local artists. The Red Rocks Initiative for Sustainable Development is an African non-governmental organization established in 2017 to enhance sustainable development in the Virunga Mountains region in East Africa.
