In a spectacular celebration of love, peace, and creativity, the city witnessed a debut festival dubbed ‘Mabara Meza’ aimed to showcase Rwandan talents across various disciplines of art, while turning imagination into reality.The festival that took place on February 14, aimed to immerse attendees in a colorful, artistic, and inclusive experience. With a theme of ‘All Colors Are Beautiful’, the organisers sought to celebrate diversity and unity through the language of art.Hosted at Mudi Center, the three-day event spanning from February 14 to 16 brought together 45 artists from various disciplines mainly music, theater, dance, fashion, and visual arts, creating a unique fusion of artistic expression in a row.What set ‘Mabara Meza’ apart was its commitment to environmental sustainability with decorations designed in an eco-friendly approach to the importance of responsible art practices.As the disposal of old materials and other waste become a major concern, with everyone required to contribute towards transforming waste into sustainable solutions for a greener Rwanda and a healthier planet, the assignment was understood well by these artists and are on the quest to transform them into a treasure.The venue was uniquely decorated with eco-friendly materials such as wood, plastic, worn out clothes, lamps, wires, and many more, creating a vibrant and eye-catching scene.The event kicked off at 7AM with a performance by Pamella Umutoniwase who goes by Ella Rings on stage. The singer and songwriter graduated in 2022, from Nyundo School of Arts and Music, where she honed her musical skills and nurtured her passion for singing and composing her own song.She performed covers of ‘Higher’ by Tems, ‘Creep’ by Radiohead and some of her own tracks, ‘Solder’, ‘La Vie Est Belle’, that are yet to be released.Up next was ‘Umudiho’, a Gakondo performance that blended modern sounds, a moment that left no one in their seats.Konstantin Dupelius and friends were next on stage with a fusion of German classic music and Rwandan 'Gakondo.' The two shifted the mood in the house, with everyone nodding their heads, a sign that music is indeed the language of art.The presentation of collections from talented fashion designers also gave a glimpse into the artistic diversity present in the country, allowing visitors to delve deeper into the creative minds behind the captivating works on spot.Pacifique Nshuti Rwasibo, the festival coordinator explained that the event aimed to create a platform for artists to showcase their talents while bolding a sense of unity and love in the community.He said: “Since it is Valentine’s Day, dedicated to lovers, having a general love celebration on the ground is as worthy as preserving peace among us. When we say people differ in their skin colors, it doesn’t mean that there shouldn’t be inclusivity in the community.”He added: “We aim to use the arts to mobilize people to embark on protecting the environment through environmental consciousness to make a positive impact.”
