{Inanga traditional instrument unique to Rwanda}
{{As the World Peace Orchestra is currently convening we are thankful to be able to be a part of this monumental project on such short notice.
The reasons being that it aligns very congruently with the goals of the Rwandan-Turkish International Schools in Rwanda: Hope Kids and Junior Academy, respectively. The benefits of having Mr. Harorimana not only be able to represent our school, but Rwanda as a whole are tremendous.
Our ‘glocal’ vision at our schools transcribes itself exactly into what is occurring with the WPO and its use of music: bringing together renowned musicians to develop their capacity for positive change through the use of and love for music in an exchange of cultures, experiences and knowledge.
Thusly from this experience, those musicians are able to take what they’ve learned and gained back to their home countries and apply it further, paying it forward through good works, reconciliation and peace-building in their local communities.
Music helps to personalize and simplify people’s differences and disagreements as it is a universal language. We expect that that universality can be applied here in Rwanda as they move forward in their aims of development.
We at Hope Kids and Junior Academy wholeheartedly believe in the message and dream of the WPO. It is what we strive for in our own classrooms and in the children we help to educate.
So it is with great pleasure that we are able to introduce to the world Mr. Harorimana and his abilities with the inanga, as well as be representatives of Rwanda for the World Peace Orchestra.
We look forward to greater things to come in the near future and we appreciate those in support of Mr. Harorimana, and would like to thank all of those that made this possible opportunity a reality.
Sincerely,
HJA Administration}}
{{Interview With Emmanuel Harorimana as participant to the WPO 2013
Tell us about your trip to USA?}}
Yes, I am in currently preparing myself to fly to the US in New York as a participant in the World Peace Orchestra. I will be demonstrating through my gift of being able to play the Inanga instrument Rwandan culture such as our appearance via clothes, dance, mannerisms and behavior of Rwanda.
{{Where did you get this chance from?}}
This trip was planned by the World Peace Orchestra aiming to gather young traditional musicians from all over the world to contribute and encourage people to seek peace and that through their talents they could show their culture and encourage people to live in peace more readily.
These performances will take place at various places in different parts of New York State. I’ve been selected by Hope Junior Academy who represents the WPO here in Rwanda.
{{You were lucky to be selected among others “like” an Ambassador to represent your country in such a large event and country, like USA. What do you think about this?}}
Honestly, since I was chosen to be selected as a participant in this event, I became very excited that I would be representing not only the image of my country but also to be showing that Rwandans are able-bodied people.
I think that the reason for others to be participating in this project is for a similar reason to my own, but I believe that I will be successful in how I present Rwanda on such a stage. Although I’m not sure wholly this, though, I think I was chosen not just because I met all of the necessary requirements but especially that the Lord was willing.
{{Since you are saying that you will be showing us the culture of your country, where do both singing and playing instruments meet in your musical process? Which instruments do you play normally?}}
As you know, the Rwandan culture is very deep but it is the inanga which I had originally wished to learn to play long ago as a child. It has been ten years since I first started working with the Rwanda culture through playing music.
It was from my grandparents that I learned to like our culture a lot and this was through traditional dancing, singing. I felt lucky to be able to do something that is nowadays uncommon, so, there is a sense of pride in representing all of this that I have known about and wished for since a young age.
{{What are your expectations and what do you plan to do when back?}}
As a part of representing my country, this event and trip will help me to show my abilities about my culture, my musical compositions and live performances will inspire people as this gathering is international and I will get from them what they’ll get from me as well.
As I’ve already been doing this in my work in Rwanda, I will continue increasingly with my aim of holding my identity and encouraging people to participate in peace-making through our culture once I am back in Rwanda.
{{Any other comments ?}}
I would just like to thank the Almighty God who put this opportunity in my path, I thank Hope Junior Academy, The Ministry of Culture & Sport and all of the other organizers of the event.
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