The 2025 Umurage Books and Art Festival has officially begun, marking a major celebration of Rwanda’s creative spirit through arts, heritage, and storytelling.

Today, October 01,2025 Permanent Secretary Ngabo Brave officially opened the 2025 Umurage Books and Art Festival, held under the theme “Cultural Renaissance: The Power of Arts, Heritage, and Storytelling in the Creative Industry.” The festival is a joint initiative between the Ministry of Youth and Arts (MoYA), Arisenest, and Aegis Trust. It brings together writers, educators, artists, policymakers, and entrepreneurs to celebrate and elevate the role of literature, storytelling, and publishing in Rwanda’s creative economy.

In his opening remarks, PS Ngabo Brave underscored the importance of books as a foundation of cultural identity and knowledge sharing, stating:“Books record our past, illuminate our present, and spark visions for the future. Publishing, in turn, ensures these voices travel across communities, across borders, and across time.”