The yearly Our Past event is set to take place on Tuesday April 9, at the Nyanza Genocide Memorial located in Kicukiro from 5pm. According to organizers, the event will shed light on Rwanda’s resilience over the past 30 years and how it significantly contributed to the growth and evolution of the country. In addition to highlighting the country’s progress over the last 30 years, Our Past initiative has tailored the event to spark conversations about Rwanda’s past and simultaneously educate the youth on the Genocide. “The Our Past event is here to educate the youth about the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, especially the young people born after the Genocide or those who were young when it happened. We hope the production is able to answer probing questions about the Genocide and tap into the rich tapestry of our history to learn more about our origins.” Says Christian Intwari, Our Past Initiative founder. Themed “Forget Not Your Past,” the multilateral production will feature two bilingual plays, a poetry recital and a survivor’s testimony paired with a highlight reel documenting what Our Past Initiative’s 12 year journey as well as a performance from a locally renowned rapper whose identity is yet to be disclosed. One of the more notable distinctions of the event this year is the abrupt venue change from the amphitheatre at Kigali Genocide Memorial in Gisozi to Nyanza Genocide Memorial in Kicukiro, which Intwari iterates has to do with consistent growth. “Kigali Genocide Memorial has served us fairly through the years, and last year Our Past filled it to capacity. We were obliged to turn away over 200 people last year because there wasn’t enough space to accommodate them. Nyanza Genocide Memorial is more spacious and hopefully there’s enough room for everyone this time around.” In addition to the Our Past event happening on April 9, a second event will be taking place in Qatar on April 18. Put together by and for the Rwandan community in Qatar, the inaugural event is as a result of a collaboration between Our Past Initiative and the Rwandan Embassy in Qatar. “The Rwandan community in Qatar has grown and we are currently planning their first Our Past event in collaboration with the Rwandan embassy in Qatar, which will also be their annual commemoration ceremony. The event will feature a play, a poem and a panel discussion addressing the healing journey post Genocide and creating awareness.” In addition to both Our Past events, the Our Past team is set to participate in the Kwibuka ceremony curated by the Rwandan community in Italy later on in the year. About Our Past Initiative Our Past Initiative is a non profit organization aimed at putting together events to commemorate the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, and raise awareness about it among the youth. Our Past Initiative also engages in community building projects such as constructing and renovating the homes of Genocide survivors, providing them with easy access to water and assisting low income families with sanitary effects and basic needs. Over the past 12 years, Our Past events have plummeted from 200 to 2000 attendees and it was founded as a result of Sick City Entertainment Group, a dance crew with a sizable number of Rwandan diaspora.
