In Rwanda was held on Friday, September 1, the Kwita Izina, the annual ceremony where the baby gorillas born in the year are named. It is a celebration for these animals among the most protected on the planet, an important instrument for the Rwandan economy and “soft power”.
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With our special correspondent in Kinigi, Lucie Mouillaud
Each year, personalities from all over the world are invited to name the newborns.
Thus, 23 personalities in front of several thousand people were present to name the 23 baby gorillas. Among the guests of honor, the actors of the film Black PanthersWinston Duke and Danai Gurira, businessman Cyrille Bolloré and, on the political side, Andrew Mitchell, the British Minister of State for Development and Africa.
“ I have had the honor on two occasions to go see the gorillas in their natural habitat and to understand the genius of the conservation work that is being done, but also to observe something that is truly one of the wonders of the world “said Andrew Mitchell.
Names in Kinyarwanda for newborns meaning “unity”, “responsibility” or even “support”… The large-scale ceremony celebrates the mountain gorillas, true ambassadors of the country, with distinguished guests and a goal.
” It is a very important tool to promote conservation but also “Visit Rwanda” and tourism. So this ceremony serves as a moment of reflection on what we have done, what lessons we have learned and what we need to do to continue “, explains Prosper Uwingeli, director of the Parc des Volcans.
More than 40,000 people visit Parc des Volcans each year, a park within the Virunga massif shared by Rwanda, DRC and Uganda where more than 600 mountain gorillas move between the three countries.
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