The Embassy of Rwanda in the Republic of Korea on Wednesday, July 29, hosted the inaugural Rwanda Cultural Heritage Day in Seoul, bringing together diplomats, senior government officials, business leaders, academics, representatives of international organisations, friends of Rwanda and members of the Rwandan community to celebrate the country's rich cultural heritage and strengthen bilateral ties.

The event celebrated Rwanda's rich cultural heritage and the enduring friendship between Rwanda and South Korea, highlighting the Intore, Rwanda's iconic traditional dance, which was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in December 2024.

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Rwanda&039;s Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, Nkubito Bakuramutsa, described the celebration as "a window into Africa through Rwanda," saying cultural diplomacy serves as "a powerful bridge for strengthening mutual understanding, friendship and cooperation between peoples and nations."

He said Rwanda's cultural heritage is an integral part of the country's identity and development, stressing the importance of preserving traditions while embracing innovation and progress.

Bakuramutsa also invited guests to visit Rwanda, encouraging them to experience the country's renowned hospitality, tourist attractions and investment opportunities.

He reaffirmed Rwanda's commitment to strengthening partnerships with South Korea in tourism, trade, innovation, education, technology and business, while positioning Rwanda as "an attractive gateway for engagement with Africa."

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The cultural programme featured performances by the Kagoma Cultural Group, showcasing Rwanda&039;s traditional music, dance and storytelling. Korean performers also took to the stage, symbolising what the embassy described as the friendship and cultural exchange that continue to strengthen relations between Rwanda and South Korea.

Beyond the performances, the event highlighted the role of people-to-people diplomacy in complementing bilateral relations through cultural exchange, dialogue and shared experiences, creating new opportunities for collaboration between the peoples of Rwanda and South Korea.

The celebrations concluded with a reception featuring Rwandan hospitality and a curated selection of traditional and contemporary Rwandan music, providing guests with an opportunity to network and further appreciate Rwanda's culture.

According to the embassy, the inaugural Rwanda Cultural Heritage Day marks another important milestone in its efforts to showcase Rwanda's identity, celebrate its internationally recognized cultural heritage and advance cultural diplomacy as a cornerstone of bilateral relations with South Korea, while promoting greater cooperation in tourism, investment, trade, innovation, education and people-to-people exchanges.

Among the guests were Chaffik Rachadi, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in Korea, alongside ambassadors, heads of diplomatic missions, senior government officials and representatives of international organisations.

Cultural exchange between Rwanda and South Korea has grown steadily in recent years, with both countries promoting opportunities for their citizens to experience each other's traditions. In Kigali, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea operates a Korean Cultural Centre that introduces Rwandans to Korean history, music, films and other aspects of Korean culture through regular programmes, including weekly film screenings. Similarly, the inaugural Rwanda Cultural Heritage Day in Seoul reflects Rwanda's efforts to showcase its traditions abroad while strengthening people-to-people ties through cultural diplomacy.