As the country commemorates the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and reflects on this tragic chapter in history, the youth must seek reliable information about the Genocide to ensure that such horrors are never repeated. The New Times lists channels through which youngsters can learn about the Genocide. Books Books or memoirs contain findings and insights in detail, depicting the genocide, for instance, how it was planned, executed and the aftermath. Genocide survivors also share their testimonies of how they managed to survive and their healing journeys. ALSO READ: Books that reflect on the Genocide Some of the books about the Genocide that one can access or purchase include, Left to Tell by Immaculée Ilibagiza, Not My Time to Die by Yolande Mukagasana, Life and Death in Nyamata by Omar Ndizeye, Survived to Forgive by Josiane Umulinga, ‘Ma mère m’a tué’ translated as “My Mother Killed Me by Albert Nsengimana, Do Not Accept to Die by Dimitri Sissi Mukanyiligira, That Child is Me by Claver Irakoze, Tracing Cracks: A Rwandan Story’ by Dominique Alonga, Ikosa Ryemejwe by Honoré Busoro, From Red Earth: A Rwandan Story of Healing and Forgiveness by Denise Uwimana, Intent to Deceive: Denying the Genocide of the Tutsi by Linda Melvern, Shake Hands with the Devil by Romeo Dallaire, among others. Genocide Memorials Memorials are some of the final resting places of victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi that took more than one million lives in a period of three months. One of them is The Kigali Genocide Memorial, which is the final resting-place for 250,000 victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi. It is a driver in Rwanda’s extraordinary journey towards healing and reconciliation. The Kigali Genocide Memorial provides guided tours of the exhibitions and gardens. Many of the guides are survivors of the Genocide against the Tutsi. For people who would like to visit the memorial with a group, they can book in advance. For groups larger than 15, it’s advisable to book at least one week before the visit. Due to space restrictions, groups larger than 30 will be divided into smaller groups. Secondly, is The Nyamata Genocide Memorial which is located around a former church 30 km south of Kigali. It is one of Rwanda’s six National Genocide Memorial Sites, and was desecrated by the Roman Catholic Church on April 11 in 1997 and transformed into a memorial to the victims of the Genocide. One person is buried inside the church, which also houses victims’ clothes and their belongings. Mass graves are situated behind the church, containing 45,308 genocide victims. April 11, every year is dedicated to the commemoration of the victims killed at this site. ALSO READ: Rwanda: Four Genocide memorials added to UNESCO World Heritage List The other memorials include Murambi Memorial Centre, Bisesero Genocide Memorial Centre, Ntarama Genocide Memorial Centre, and Nyarubuye Memorial. Films, documentaries Films and movies possess tales of the atrocities of the Genocide. Some of these are; 100 Days (2001) by Nick Hughes and Eric Kabera, Long Coat (2009) by Edouard Bamporiki, Shake Hands with The Devil (2004) by Peter Raymont, which is based on the book of the same name by retired Canadian Lieutenant General Romeo Dallaire, My Neighbour, My Killer (2009) by Anne Aghion, The 600 by Richard Hall, and Annette Uwizeye, The Day God Walked Away by Philippe Van Leeuw, Sometimes in April by Raoul Peck and many more. ALSO READ: 10 films about the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi Credible accounts and websites For trusted information and updates about the Genocide, one can check ‘Kwibuka Rwanda’ on X, former Twitter. This is the official account for commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Follow to get any updates on commemoration. Additionally, a person can opt for information through Genocide survivors’ groups like social media accounts and websites of ‘Ibuka Rwanda’, an NGO that works to preserve the memory of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsis in Rwanda, digitising archives to facilitate their conservation and use, combating genocide denial, campaigning for justice for those responsible for genocidal crimes and supporting survivors of the massacres perpetrated in 1994. Also, Groupe des Anciens Etudiants Rescapés du Génocide-GAERG contains genocide stories thus allowing one to know more about the Rwandan genocide. GAERG is an organisation founded by Rwandan graduate Genocide survivors in 2003 with a vision of creating a world free of Genocide. ALSO READ: Genocide survivor groups exude hope for the future Museums An analysis about how the Genocide was planned, and started to when Rwanda Patriotic Army (RPA) soldiers rescued survivors and so forth is available at The Campaign Against Genocide Museum, which is one of the eight museums managed by the Rwanda Cultural Heritage Academy and housed in the Parliamentary building of Rwanda (the former Conseil National de Development). The museum aims to showcase the history of Rwanda during the Genocide in 1994 and hos the country was liberated. ALSO READ: How Kagame masterminded RPA’s decisive campaign against Genocide within hours National Liberation Museum Park located in Northern Province of Gicumbi district, 80 kilometers northeast of Kigali at Mulindi w’Intwali entails Rwanda’s history. The museum recounts the story of the Rwandan Liberation struggle that brought an end to the Genocide against Tutsi. This struggle was initiated by the political wing known as the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), led by its military wing, Rwandan Patriotic Army (RPA), from October 1, 1990 to July 4, 1994. The museum displays a sequence of events before, during, and after the struggle through visuals that include texts and artefacts. In conclusion, one can also participate in community dialogues (Ibiganiro), listen to Kwibuka podcast, and partake in Twitter spaces that discuss about the Genocide, especially those hosted by Rwandans, and follow Rwandan media. Local media write and document stories about the Genocide, and offer a platform for genocide survivors to tell their stories.
