Poetry lovers were treated to mesmerising performances by Rwandan poets and engaging discussions on the poetry landscape in Rwanda at Soirée Poésie: Mu Rwanda rw’Ubusizi, a poetry night held on March 20, in commemoration of World Poetry Day. Hosted by local performing arts company Umut Arts, in collaboration with Institut Français du Rwanda and La Benovolencija, the event showcased a diverse range of poetic expressions. Poets like Sam Rwogera, Sylvestre Nsengimana, Nina Salim Umutesi, and Carine Maniraguha (known as Carine Poet) captivated the audience with their exploration of themes like teenage pregnancy, Rwandan culture and identity, youth aspirations, womanhood, and love, among others. They presented their verses in Kinyarwanda, French, and English, adding depth to the cultural nature of the event. In addition to the performances, members of Writers Space Africa-Rwanda chapter, a local community of writers and poets, paid tribute to Rwanda's literary heritage by reciting excerpts from the works of legendary poets such as Nyirarumaga, Cyprien Rugamba, and Alexis Kagame, thereby honouring their enduring contribution to Rwandan poetry. In his remarks, Sylvestre Nsengimana, Founder of UmutArts, said the inspiration for the event stemmed from his poetry extended play (EP), Mu Rwanda, which celebrates Rwanda, its culture, and lifestyle. He aimed to promote it by intertwining it with the celebration of World Poetry Day, thereby engaging poets and artists from different cultural backgrounds. Nsengimana expressed gratitude to all attendees for their presence, encouraging them to unite their efforts in further promoting poetry. Soirée Poésie: Mu Rwanda rw’Ubusizi also featured a panel discussion which explored Rwanda's poetry industry, its historical trajectory, and the prospects shaping its future. Ferdinand Munezero, a senior poet of over a decade, said there has been an evolution in Rwandan poetry, noting that the art form, once “highly” undervalued, now sees a surge in participation, with a rise in poets engaged in implementing and managing poetic projects. “In the past, poets were primarily showcased during national events honoring heroes, labour, and liberation days. Today, however, the landscape has transformed, with different poetry shows being organised and poets receiving invitations to perform at various events, even releasing their own poetry videos,” he said. Munezero also acknowledges persistent challenges, including that poetry market remains limited, making it difficult for poets to sustain themselves solely through their craft. Infrastructure for poetry is also lacking, with insufficient audience engagement and venue availability, he added, emphasising that poetry, as the foundation of all arts, deserves more attention. Munezero called upon fellow poets to create works that leave a lasting legacy, nurturing the next generation of poets. Aime Valens Tuyisenge, President of the Rwanda Poetry Union, highlighted the union's role in promoting poetry by facilitating opportunities for poets, fostering connections among them, and ensuring the effective dissemination of their messages. He expressed gratitude to Rwandan poets actively contributing to the promotion of poetry through their releases and events and encouraged them to unite under the union's banner to collectively advance the industry. Ghislain Kabuyaya, Cultural Coordinator at La Bonevolencija underscored the role poetry continues to play in advocating for peace and promoting positive values across the Great Lakes Region. At the event, he introduced Slameur Federateur, a platform dedicated to showcasing poetry by poets of the Great Lakes Region, while embracing cultural inclusivity. He said the initiative aims to empower the poets to promote empathy, peace, and combat hate speech through their craft. In his remarks, Johan-Hilel Hamel, Director Delegate of Institut Français du Rwanda, extended appreciation to Umut Arts for orchestrating an evening that spotlighted poetry in different languages, and underscored the significance of language, particularly French, and literature in personal and collective growth.
