A Celebration of arts and humanity.
Art has long been a powerful medium for communication, expression, and reflection. It brings issues to light, shares values, and fosters connections across humanity. We believe art, as a platform for creativity and innovation, is a catalyst for social change.
The word Ubumuntu translates to “Being Human.” Our festival seeks to create a space where people from all walks of life connect through the universal language of art. Inspired by Desmond Tutu’s words, “My humanity is bound together in yours, for we can only be human together,” our slogan echoes this profound truth: “I am because you are, you are because I am: we are human together.”
30+
Countries represented
70+
Performances
Journey & History
The Ubumuntu Arts Festival was founded by Hope Azeda, a visionary in contemporary Rwandan theatre and the Artistic Director of Mashirika Performing Arts and Media Company, a leading theatre company in Rwanda. The festival was born from Hope’s leadership proposal to the Africa Leadership Project, which was met with enthusiasm—and thus began the Ubumuntu journey.
Launched in 2015, the festival takes place annually after the 100-day commemoration of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. Held at the outdoor amphitheater of the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre, it gathers artists from around the globe to Kigali, Rwanda. Activities include performances, workshops, panel discussions, and visits to genocide memorial sites.
The festival is free and open to everyone, relying on the generosity of donors and sponsors to make it possible.
Hope Azeda
As the founder and curator of the Ubumuntu Arts Festival and Organization, Hope Azeda has provided the vision for using arts to help societies around the world deal with their own traumas and to connect with the international community.
A refugee herself, Hope spent much of her upbringing in Uganda before returning to Rwanda in 1998, where she became a celebrated leader of the country’s arts sector.
She served as the Director of Civic Education of the National Unity Reconciliation Commissioner and as the director and founder of the internationally acclaimed Mashirika Performing Arts and Media Company
McNULTY PRIZE LAUREATE
Winner
Creative Minds
Meet our creative team making it happen. We work around the clock making creativity meet arts and humanity.
Hope Azeda
Festival Curator
Eunice Kangai
Project Director
Simon Rwema
Youth Coordinator
Samuel Mugiraneza
Artist Logistics and Coordination
Rhona Umuliza
Hospitality Lead
Hellen Rwangyezi
Project Manager
Sonia Iraguha
Festival Host and Presenter
Isaie Karinda
Logistics
Innocent Munyeshuri
Artist Coordinator
Fola Folayan
Communications PR Consultant and Festival Host
Djuma Kubwimana
Scenographer
Daniel Hirwa
Assistant Stage Manager
Brian Geza
Stage and Tech Team Manager
Bethsheba Gathoni
Graphic Designer
Fiona Marie Umutoni
Hospitality
Megan Lang
Lighting Designer
Olier Shilo
Technical Director
Samuel Kyagambidwa
Director of Finance
Gloria T. Karengera
Production Manager
Matt Deely
Set Designer
RADJABALI Asgar
Sound Designer
Achievements & Inspirations
Art as a forum for communication, expression, reflection, innovation and creativity is a key motor for social change.