In Kigali, the writer and songwriter Gaël Faye performed this Thursday, December 12 at the Gisozi national memorial with a musical reading of his novel Jacaranda A first public performance in the land of a thousand hills for the Franco-Rwandan artist after being awarded the prestigious Renaudot literary prize in November 2024.
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With our correspondent in Kigali, Lucie Mouillaud
Standing on stage, Gaël Faye reads the first words of his novel, accompanied by guitarist Samuel Kamanzi. A moment that Tonya Marty Intumwa was impatiently waiting for, proud to see a book on the history of her country recognized by the Renaudot prize: “ It’s a bit like he’s bringing out the truth and reality of what happened, and that’s important! It’s an emotional book, you feel like you’re in that time. It gives you a bit of an idea of what they experienced, what happened. »
In his readings, Gaël Faye depicts the reconstruction of the post-genocide country. A very accurate description of the city of Kigali for Aubaine Hirwa, touched by the references to the jacaranda, the tree which gave its name to the novel: “ We know him in the Kiyovu neighborhoods, in the Nyamirambo neighborhoods! We are big fans of Faye, but also of the history he talks about, and that concerns us as Rwandans and as people who come from this Great Lakes region. »
“ I feel honored to be here »
Readings and slams by the author-composer follow one another on the stage of the historic Gisozi memorial where Gaël Faye performs for the first time. “ It’s a special moment. I feel honored to be here, and I must live up to both the public and the hundreds of thousands of spirits who populate this place. “.
More than 250,000 victims of the genocide rest at the Gisozi memorialthe largest in the country, and where the flame of remembrance burns every year, during the hundred days of commemorations, in homage to the deceased.
Also listenLiterature without borders – Gaël Faye rhymes Rwanda with Jacaranda