KIGALI — A documentary titled Why We Dance, which tells the story of a survivor of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, was honored with two international film awards on Monday.
The film’s success comes as Rwanda marks 32 years since the genocide, a period known as Kwibuka.
The documentary follows Jerome Irankunda, who was six years old when he fled to Burundi after his family took shelter in the Kibeho church. Irankunda, now a community leader, uses the film to highlight the “relational process” of healing and the importance of teaching the younger generation about the past.
“The film is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit,” said a spokesperson for the University of Aberdeen, which co-produced the research project.
“It documents not just the tragedy, but the rebuilding of a life and a nation.”
Rwanda’s focus on “narrative building” and memory is a central pillar of its social policy. Today, schools across the country held commemorative events, focusing on the theme of “Choice to be Great,” urging youth to reject the ideology of hate that led to the 1994 atrocities.
Economically, Rwanda continues to position itself as a tech and logistics hub. While the film awards brought a moment of reflection, the government also announced new incentives for green energy startups today, aiming to reduce the country’s carbon footprint and attract “impact investors” looking for stability in the East African market.
