Bridge of Roses: A story of hope, peace and reconciliation

Bridge of Roses is a play about post genocide stories of different people, their sentiments and most importantly how they picked up from the dark shadows of the past. Organised and acted by Mashirika Arts and Media Company in partnership with AEGIS, the play was launched at the Kigali Memorial amphitheatre in Gisozi on Tuesday at 6pm. The two-hour play attracted many people that filled the theatre to maximum capacity. A brief animated documentary was aired before the play began to give the audience insights about events that surrounded the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. The play is centred on different characters; victims, survivors and perpetrators. It highlights the agony of growing up without loved ones; dealing with trauma and the guilt that people felt for inflicting pain on innocent people especially children. The most remarkable part of the play is when a perpetrator narrates an ordeal of the voices of children that keep playing in his head asking not to kill them, memories of his Gacaca court confessions and his urge to seek remorse which isn’t easily welcomed. The play also portrays a survivor who never got the chance to meet her parents and wonders how they looked like but is only given a blood stained cloth; the only thing left of her mother. Sharon Ampaire, a member from the audience said “the play is tear jerking and teaches me to value humanity. We shall never let Rwanda be defined by its painful past. We are the ambassadors of change.” The Bridge Of Roses in general portrays the stories of hope after the genocide and uses the rose flower and a bridge as symbols to effectively pass the desired message of peace, compassion, love, unity, forgiveness and above all embracing the good in one’s inner self.

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Bridge of Roses: A story of hope, peace and reconciliation