Kate Webster Get ready to experience Rwanda’s rich cultural heritage and celebrate 10 years of community conservation and empowerment at the Red Rocks Cultural Festival in Musanze district. From August 25th to September 1st, 2023, the Red Rocks Cultural Center will be hosting the 11th Annual Cultural Festival, coinciding with the highly anticipated 19th Kwita Izina Baby Gorilla Naming Ceremony.
Located in the picturesque Nyakinama Village, the festival offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in traditional cultural music, dance, and artwork produced by local women and youth cooperatives. You can even participate in community workshops, such as banana beer making, basket weaving, painting, cooking, sports, and conservational debate. The evenings will come alive with Red Rocks Twataramye, featuring cultural music using all types of instruments, theatre, and poetry.
But the festival isn’t just about celebrating culture and community. It’s also about promoting conservation and sustainable ecotourism. You’ll have the opportunity to visit the Mukungwa riverside to plant trees for the conservation of the environment and natural resources.
And that’s not all. On the final day of the festival, you’ll head to the slopes of the Virunga Mountain for the Kwita Izina gorilla naming ceremony. This special event is a highlight of Rwanda’s tourism calendar, and an opportunity to witness the conservation efforts that are helping to protect one of the world’s most endangered species.
Entry to the festival is free, and accommodation and food are available at Red Rocks for a nominal fee. Greg Bakunzi, the founder of Red Rocks Initiatives, says he’s excited to see how the festival brings organizations together to support each other in sustainable community and conservation initiatives.
Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to experience Rwanda’s rich culture and support its conservation efforts. Head to redrocksinitiative.org/our-event/ for more information and to plan your visit.