The 11th edition of the Ubumuntu Arts Festival, currently underway in Kigali, continues to demonstrate the transformative power of the arts in shaping dialogue, unity, and human connection.
Now a flagship event on Rwanda’s cultural calendar, this year’s festival runs from July 14 to 20, 2025, featuring a vibrant line-up of performances, intercultural exchanges, and capacity-building workshops for creatives from Rwanda and around the world.
The fourth day of the festival, Thursday, July 17, was marked by the Cultural Diplomacy Unconference, held at the Kigali Conference and Exhibition Village. The event brought together artists, policymakers, youth leaders, and changemakers under the theme: “Cultural Diplomacy: Shaping a Shared Future through Art.”
The State Minister in the Ministry of Youth and Arts, Ms. Xandrine Umutoni, officiated the closing ceremony of the Unconference, where she awarded certificates to participants of the Cultural Diplomacy training. The week-long training was led by Dr. Melih Barut, a cultural diplomacy expert from Hacettepe University, Türkiye, and focused on equipping creatives with tools to use art as a medium for diplomacy and peacebuilding.
In his keynote remarks, Permanent Secretary Ngabo Brave encouraged artists and youth to be bold in their creative expression and to work collaboratively in shaping an inclusive future. “Artists have long stood at the frontlines of dignity and peace,” he said. “In Rwanda, their voices through story, sound, and stage, have healed wounds. May they continue to shape narratives that unite, uplift, and envision futures rooted in humanity.”
The day also featured a powerful panel discussion exploring how artistic expression fosters trust, empathy, and peaceful coexistence. Participants shared inspiring stories of how bold dreaming and collective creation can bridge divides and ignite meaningful connections across communities and nations.
Assumpta Mugiraneza, Co-founder and Director of Iriba Center for Multimedia Heritage, graced the occasion with a thought-provoking keynote. “We must deeply reflect on our identity and understand how historical and governmental systems have shaped our collective consciousness,” she noted, urging deeper engagement with culture as a way of understanding both past and present.
Later in the evening, guests gathered for “Ikaze Night,” a special welcoming event for international participants from 13 countries who are taking part in this year’s festival.
The Ubumuntu Arts Festival continues through the weekend, with artistic showcases and cultural performances scheduled at the Amphitheatre of the Kigali Genocide Memorial from July 18 to 20. All events are free and open to the public.
As the festival enters its final days, it stands as a bold celebration of creativity, culture, and shared humanity, reminding us that art is not only an expression of identity but also a catalyst for peace.
