Umurage International Books and Art Festival concluded on October 3, served as a vital cultural platform over three days. The event was specifically designed to celebrate and elevate literature and publishing as key drivers of Rwanda’s national development. ALSO READ: Ubumuntu Arts Festival celebrates 10 years of inspiring creativity The cultural initiative, which brought together key stakeholders from artists to policymakers, strategically aimed to reinforce fundamental aspects of Rwanda’s development vision, specifically focusing on education, unity, and creative expression. Brave Olivier Ngabo, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Arts, said the event is more than a celebration of culture but also being a recognition of the central role that books, publishing, and storytelling play in building knowledge, preserving heritage, and shaping opportunity for generations to come. “Books remain the cornerstone of cultural expression. They record our past, illuminate our present, and spark visions for the future. Publishing, in turn, ensures that these voices travel across communities, across borders, and across time,” said Ngabo. Beyond its cultural significance, the festival is also a catalyst for economic growth and innovation within Rwanda’s creative industries. It strategically supports the publishing sector, encourages the participation of youth and women, and promotes regional collaboration. Through workshops and roundtables, the event strengthens the literary ecosystem, attracts investment, and aims to position Rwanda as a regional hub for artistic excellence and knowledge sharing. Importance of storytelling Yolande Mukagasana, whose work addresses the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, shared her perspective on producing the book, ‘Not My Time to Die’ and the power of narrative. My book is a personal testimony detailing my experiences during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda in Kigali. I wrote it for an international audience, aiming to demonstrate that we understood the root causes of the conflict we endured and to establish the truth that cannot be erased. ALSO READ: Art Rwanda Ubuhanzi launches All Stars edition “My fundamental purpose is to educate the younger generation about this history, ensuring the transfer of this knowledge to all future generations. Singer and author Clementine Tonzi Uwitonze, writer, also known as Tonzi, was also among participants who attended the book festival. She views her latest book, an ‘Open Jail’, as a deeply personal message born from a difficult period in her life. Tonzi said she realized that the despair she felt at the ‘Open Jail’ is a common experience that often defeats people lacking the inner strength to escape. Her solitary struggle taught her that while one cannot prevent trials from coming, choosing to face them heroically is essential to avoid being defeated, which is why some turn to destructive coping mechanisms like drug use. Tonzi emphasizes that many people are engaged in an unseen struggle, displaying confusing behaviors or self-hatred, without recognizing their own resilience and skills. She believes that storytelling is “a medicine and a partner of God” because sharing her personal journey and how she navigated and fought her struggle, gives others strength. By showing readers that they are not alone and that survival is possible, storytelling instills the faith needed to overcome personal trials. Another that caught the attention of book readers is Dayo Adeyemi’s Angels Don’t Code. Adeyemi’s book reflects angels who obey God's instructions after understanding them, greatness is only possible where there are rules. His goal was to teach parents, educators, and youth that a rule is not a punishment, but the foundation for greatness .
