French-Rwandan writer and musician Gaël Faye recently caused a sensation in Kigali by presenting his latest novel, entitled “Jacaranda”, in a setting full of emotion and symbolism: the Gisozi Memorial. This novel, awarded the prestigious Prix Renaudot in Paris, immerses the reader in the post-genocide world of Rwanda through a series of poignant and captivating stories.
The presentation evening of “Jacaranda” at the Gisozi Memorial was imbued with a special atmosphere, mixing music, literature and commemoration. Gaël Faye, a multi-talented artist, was able to create an immersive experience by performing some of his songs inspired by the novel, thus accentuating the emotional impact of the event.
Gaël Faye’s return to Kigali, his hometown steeped in history and memory, underlines the depth of his ties with Rwanda and his commitment to the transmission of this collective memory. By choosing the Gisozi Memorial as the venue for the presentation, the author wanted to pay tribute to the victims of the genocide and offer an artistic reflection on the scars left by this tragedy.
The originality of this initiative also lies in the way in which Gaël Faye manages to merge literature and music to create a unique sensory experience, inviting his spectators to dive into the heart of his artistic universe and immerse themselves in the universal themes addressed in his novel.
“Jacaranda” is thus a poignant and necessary testimony on the duty of remembrance, recalling the importance of transmitting history to better understand the present and build a future marked by peace and reconciliation. Gaël Faye, through his artistic talent and sensitivity, offers a remarkable contribution to contemporary literature and the defense of humanist values.
At the Gisozi memorial, between the musical notes and the words of a moving story, Gaël Faye was able to captivate his audience and offer a moment of sharing and intense emotion, testifying to the power of art to transcend borders and bring people together around their common history.