Nyandungu Eco-Park is set to host a major international arts and ecology programme that will transform the restored wetland into a living platform for environmental art, cultural dialogue, and sustainability. The initiative, titled Soil & Water: Kigali Crossings, is being launched in partnership with the NIROX Foundation, an independent non-profit arts organisation, and QA Venue Solutions Rwanda. ALSO READ: Biodiversity nearly doubles in Nyandungu Eco-Park – survey The long-term programme, which will run from August 2026 to March 2027, will feature public exhibitions, artist residencies, performances, concerts, community engagement activities, and research initiatives. A global vision rooted in nature According to Benji Liebmann, founder and director of the NIROX Foundation, the project builds on more than two decades of using art to connect people with nature and conservation. The foundation’s work is anchored on three pillars: an artist residency programme, a sculpture park, and a concert programme. The initiative has previously been held in Europe and South Africa, with Rwanda becoming the second African country to host it. Why Kigali? Liebmann said the idea to bring the project to Kigali emerged through a connection with Nyandungu Eco-Park Manager Ildephonse Kambogo, who has ties to South Africa. The collaboration, he noted, has been years in the making. ALSO READ: What to expect as Nyandungu Eco-Park expands in second phase “We came to visit about four years ago to assess its feasibility. I realised it was more than feasible; it was necessary and desirable. However, it has taken this long to reach the first stage, which is a pilot exhibition project,” he said. Art as a bridge to conservation Liebmann said the initiative is driven by the belief that art can communicate environmental issues in ways that science alone cannot. “Art speaks to people differently, emotionally and intuitively—and we believe that creates a deeper connection with the earth. Humanity needs to fall in love with nature again,” he said. The programme will feature internationally renowned artists from Africa and beyond, including Ghanaian contemporary artist Ibrahim Mahama, Serge Clottey, South African artist Willem Boshoff, and participants from France, Spain, and Austria. “The idea is to globalise the initiative. We are citizens of the world,” Liebmann added. Positioning Nyandungu as a global destination Kambogo said the partnership with NIROX will expand Nyandungu’s role beyond conservation by integrating cultural and artistic engagement. “The wetland’s primary role is to filter polluted water and improve its quality. However, this can be challenging due to the large volumes of water and waste entering the ecosystem,” he said. “Through art, we hope to find creative ways of showcasing this water purification process, making it easier for people to understand while also supporting the wetland’s conservation mission.” Artists will create installations throughout the park to strengthen the connection between culture and nature. Rwandan artists, including those from Inema Arts Center, will also take part. Executive Director Innocent Nkurunziza said artists have an important role in raising awareness about environmental protection. “We teach people how to conserve where we live through our thoughts, actions, words, and intentionality. It is about creating awareness to protect the environment,” he said. “This is not a one-day or six-month project. It should continue so that future generations can build on its impact and leave a meaningful footprint.”
