The name ‘Neiliansheng’, meaning ‘continuous promotion’, signifies the belief that wearing their imperial boots could elevate a court official’s rank by three levels.
Originating as a maker of official boots for the court’s elite, Neiliansheng gradually expanded its clientele to include prominent families, skillfully marrying artistry with functionality in each pair of shoes.
The legend of Neiliansheng’s craftsmanship has flourished over the years, receiving endorsements from a host of historical figures, including Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai, and Deng Xiaoping.
Its iconic thousand-layer sole has become a hallmark of the brand, earning Neiliansheng the title of “the first Chinese cloth shoes” by the China Chamber of Commerce Federation in 2006—a year that also saw it recognized as a “Chinese time-honored brand” by the Ministry of Commerce.
To honor its rich heritage, Neiliansheng’s flagship store created a small museum on its third floor, offering visitors a glimpse into the enduring cloth shoe culture.
The allure of Neiliansheng shoes lies in their meticulous production. Crafted with traditional techniques and made from natural materials like pure cotton, hemp, and wool, these shoes promise environmental sustainability and unparalleled quality.
This dedication to traditional methods has garnered the brand numerous national patents and recognition on the national intangible cultural heritage list in 2008, further cementing its status as a cultural beacon.
In 2011, in recognition of its cultural significance and innovative practices, Neiliansheng was designated as a demonstration base for the production of national intangible cultural heritage by the Ministry of Culture.
It also stands out as the only “high-tech enterprise” among China’s time-honored brands, showcasing its capability to innovate within the bounds of traditional shoemaking.
Neiliansheng’s influence stretches beyond mere fashion and culture. It has played a role in major national events, such as the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where it provided specially designed etiquette award shoes for female hostesses.
Continuing this tradition, in 2022, Neiliansheng crafted custom cloth shoes for international dignitaries attending the Winter Olympics, demonstrating its global appeal and the timeless relevance of its craftsmanship.
The allure of the Qianshu Ancient Dragon Kiln is not merely in its longevity but in the living legacy it upholds as the sole practitioner of traditional firing methods in the country, earning it the affectionate moniker, “the living dragon kiln.”
Constructed in the architectural likeness of a majestic Chinese dragon, the kiln’s design is both functional and symbolic, embodying the strength and resilience of a tradition that has withstood the test of time.
Spanning 43.4 meters in length and adorned with 42 pairs of wood-feeding “scale eye holes,” this ancient kiln mimics the intricate scales of a dragon’s body. Its unique trunk-arched tunnel, which elegantly slopes at approximately 30 degrees, facilitates a natural heating process from the bottom up, showcasing an ingenious energy-efficient method perfected over centuries.
The Qianshu Dragon Kiln is divided into three parts: the head, the main body, and the tail, each serving a distinct purpose in the pottery-firing process. With five strategically placed loading openings (kiln doors) on its west side, artisans skillfully arrange ceramics for firing, utilizing coal, pine, and bamboo branches as fuel.
This traditional approach to pottery-making not only preserves ancient techniques but also imparts a distinct character and quality to the ceramics produced, distinguishing them from their contemporarily fired counterparts.
Today, the Qianshu Ancient Dragon Kiln continues to breathe life into daily-use coarse ceramics, including basins, jars, pots, and kettles, as well as a select assortment of purple clay teapots.
These creations are not mere objects but stories molded from the earth, each piece a bearer of the kiln’s rich history and the artisan’s skill. Particularly notable are the Yixing sand-fired teapots, revered for their unique clay texture, modeling, and the timeless beauty they encapsulate.
These teapots, synonymous with the Qianshu Kiln, have garnered acclaim both domestically and internationally, underscoring the kiln’s prestigious status in the realm of ceramic artistry.
The Qianshu Ancient Dragon Kiln’s location in an ordinary village in Yixing adds to its charm, standing in stark contrast to the bustling urban landscapes that characterize much of modern China.
This juxtaposition serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring nature of tradition amidst the relentless march of progress. The kiln, seen from afar, resembles a colossal dragon coiled upon a slope, a silent guardian of history and culture in the midst of everyday village life.
Embarking on a visit to the Qianshu Ancient Dragon Kiln is not just a journey through a physical space but a passage through time. It offers an intimate glimpse into the heart of Chinese ceramic tradition, where every fire-fueled breath of the kiln whispers tales of generations of artisans who have passed through its fiery maw.
This living relic is a place where the past and present converge, making it a must-visit destination for anyone yearning to connect with the essence of traditional Chinese culture and inviting us to ponder the enduring value of tradition in a rapidly changing world.
First thing, you need to keep it simple. Why? Because the best stories share something profound and real about the human experience but do so very quietly. Take the popular six-word story for example: “For sale: baby shoes, never worn.”
There’s a lot of meaning and depth to this story but stated in simple terms. These words don’t directly give us context, but also gives a nuance that communicates the truth of our world. Cool, right?
Simple stories also do a great job drawing on emotion as opposed to getting caught up in anything else. Although it might be genius to present a product or service in a 60-second-thriller-full-of-combat-and-epic-moves, you’re likely to lose your main point in the chaos.
So what’s your story really about? If you can articulate that in one sentence, then you’re ready to tell a good story. You’ll soon be able to communicate with and connect with people in analogies and metaphors.
{You might wonder ‘Why not Use Words’? }
Video is a visual and aural medium. Non-verbal stories do wonders for people. So many wonders, you would not believe it. This not only draws viewers in but also gets to the emotional core of a story much quicker. These share something profound about life, without the need of saying much.
If you can find a way to tell your story without words, you’ll be much more successful in persuading your audience.
If you ever need the right, audio-visual company that would do wonders for you, Storykast – a video production and photography company that has years of experience in crafting visual stories of brands in marketing as well as in advertising, will perform the magic you still haven’t figured you need.
For more information, visit their website on {{[Storykast->http://storykast.rw] }} or contact them on 0788742908.
Initiated through a partnership between Imbuto Foundation, the Ministry of Youth and the Ministry of Sports and Culture; the “ArtRwanda-Ubuhanzi” project consists of a televised nationwide search for creative youth in different categories including fine arts, dance, music, fashion, acting, drama, photography and literature.
The programme will be a platform for exposure and market for young and talented Rwandans within the creative arts industry, offering them an opportunity to be mentored by industry experts and receive advice on how to transform their talent into sustainable employment opportunities, in an effort to support their artistic development and future career aspirations.
While at the Official launch yesterday at Kigali Cultural Village, the Minister of Youth, Rosemary Mbabazi applauded the initiative which complements the government’s efforts of empowering youth.
“Your presence here means partnership. We take you as people who can contribute to the industry and can be part of the history of those who made this happen.” Mbabazi said
‘‘We believe that by developing and supporting these young talents, we will be highly contributing to the national economic development. Artists can change our life for the better and this project will provide opportunities for the youth in regards to employment. I thank Imbuto Foundation for sowing the right seeds that will transform Rwandan youth.’’ She added
According to the Deputy Director General of Imbuto Foundation, Geraldine Umutesi, Rwandan youth are fully capable. They only need people who can support them.
“The uniqueness of this ArtRwanda-Ubuhanzi is that it provides a vision and an environment where these arts will stay long after our generation’’ Umutesi told the attendees.
Umutesi further stressed that the industry cannot be developed without contribution from the youth and called on them to participate, encourage, and inspire others to participate in the project.
PS John Ntigengwa from the Ministry of Sports and Culture, observed that the project is a partial answer to youth unemployment, which remains a persistent issue around the world.
“This project is an answer to youth employment gap in our country. Let me take this moment to request youth professionals, the private sector, and young creative minds to reconsider their options and give arts a chance.” Ntigengwa noted
According to Statistics, unemployment among Rwandans, especially youth (16-30) is at 21 %, of who 9% completed upper secondary and 6% are graduates of tertiary education.
During the event, Manzi Jackson, a young artist, performed a live display of Acrylic painting on canvas, within 30 minutes. His art which symbolizes the unity an organized youth needs, was sold to the highest bidder on spot at Rwf700 000.
The search for talent will be countrywide, with scheduled road trips slated for 8 – 30 September at 6 sites namely; Kigali, Rubavu, Rusizi, Huye, Nyagatare, Musanze.
{{The “ArtRwanda-Ubuhanzi” Project launch in Pictures
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Born in Bugesera District and now a second-year student in Civil Engineering Construction Technology at the Integrated Polytechnic Regional Centre (IPRC Kigali), Nzirorera says he developed a passion for construction during his childhood and pursued it in secondary school.
With the encouragement of the college for innovation, Nzirorera found his skills insufficient to do anything new in Rwanda’s construction sector. He started online courses with Archystore in Madagascar in April 2017 and later with Harvard University in the United States. He did Lumion software and Twinmotion, the world’s best rendering tools.
Nzirorera, then, opened Golden Construction and Designing Ltd (GCD) in February 2018 and recruited a supporting team of seven including professionals and students in different construction-related fields.
“Something new I have brought into Rwanda’s construction sector is the use of walkthrough animation that Rwandans are currently looking for abroad. No one else is doing this here and if there is any, they are weak because all local big projects should not be going to foreign firms,” said Nzirorera.
“I am able to deliver any building design like Kigali Convention Centre and other world-class buildings wherever they might be in the world. I want to do more courses to improve skills about designing other structures like airports and stadiums. Meanwhile, I am trying to raise funds for redeeming my completion certificate at Harvard University.”
IPRC Kigali’s Vice-Principal for Academics and Training, Eng. Jean Claude Benimana, told IGIHE last week that the college decided to support Nzirorera with offices and a good computer because they found his work as important.
“We found his activities very important and decided to support him as we usually do for other students who show good ideas for implementation. We even want him to share skills with other students. We haven’t done yet a thorough evaluation of his work especially because that software he uses is not what we teach here,” said Eng. Benimana.
{{First project delivered
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In addition to some residential buildings, Nzirorera’s GCD Company has delivered a project of a world-class tennis stadium which is set to be the best in the East African region, according to Eng. Valens Habimana, the Secretary General of Rwanda Tennis Federation (RTF).
Located in IPRC Kigali in Kicukiro District, the tennis stadium project is owned by RTF and Workforce Development Authority (WDA).
“Nzirorera designed four tennis pitches in our first phase of tennis stadium. The second phase he also designed is about other facilities at the stadium such as lodges to host people who will be attending international competitions in Kigali. I found a talent in him especially because I am an engineer. He first showed me what he does and I showed him the project we had and I was surprised to see how quickly he understood it. That way of walkthrough animation he uses to demonstrate the design is really important,” said Eng. Habimana.
He said the first phase of the stadium has been completed at a tune of Rwf90 million and the federation is raising the funds for the second phase.
“When we presented the project in the presence of Rwandan ministers and officials from the International Tennis Federation (ITF) a fortnight ago, they admired it and promised to support it. I presented the project and even foreigners were amazed to hear that a Rwandan can design such a project and put it in a self-explanatory way of walkthrough animation. It looked new to many,” noted Eng. Habimana.
“We have other Rwandans who can design that project but they don’t have those good ways of demonstration which doesn’t require the presenter to explain a lot. They do design but in our other ways.”
Other ways of demonstrating architectural designs include 3D and physical models which show a building in drawings while the objective of walkthrough animation is to give the object the physical properties as it would exist in the real world.
Nzirorera says the biggest challenge he is facing is about convincing people on what he can do because many say that they are designs he just copies from South Africa or other developed countries while others don’t believe that someone as young as him can deliver a great project.
“Others still question the skills of someone who acquired courses online. They think no one can be as competent as the one who physically attends the campus. I am trying to convince people by all means including developing designs that nobody is going to pay,” he says.
Nzirorera plans to keep expanding skills, offer training to Rwandans and make up a big team of competitive professionals who can design master plans of cities in Rwanda and abroad.
This is a kind of trade is quite vibrant in Musanze, the hub of Rwanda’s tourism industry. Art pieces are ubiquitous everywhere you go, especially around Kinigi where tourists visit to not only see the famous mountain gorillas but also other attraction this place offers. Art pieces can be found hanging on the walls of hotels and among other places the tourists are likely to visit.
According to an article appearing in Tourism&More, “artistic tourism attracts people who are willing to spend money. Numerous studies from around the world have shown that people who include the arts in their travel plans often have higher income levels than other tourists to that locale, have a greater likelihood of staying in local hotel, take longer trips and shop more.”
There are several art galleries that have opened their doors where tourists can go and purchase these pieces. Art centers and galleries found in Musanze include (located along the road to Kinigi), and Red Rocks Art Gallery, located in Kinigi. Apart from these, there are individual artists and craftsmen that sell their products in Musanze, such as COPABU Cooperative and Kinigi Community Commercial Center (KCCC) Cooperative.
The Red Rocks Art Gallery, which opened on January 5, is one of the newest in Rwanda.
Willy Karekezi, a visual artist in Kigali, says he paints in Kigali, but transports some of his pieces to Musanze where they are displayed in different galleries there.
“Some tourists come to visit Rwanda for a day or two and they head straight to Musanze for gorilla trekking. These tourists are unable to visit the art galleries in Kigali, and that’s why I take some of my pieces to Kinigi where tourists can easily find and purchase them,” he says.
This is one of Kigali-based Willy Karekezi’s latest paintings, hanging in the Red Rocks Art Gallery in Kinigi, near the Volcanoes National Park.
“Tourism is quite vibrant here in Kinigi and we discovered that through art, the artists can not only produce aesthetic pieces that appeal to the eyes of the tourists but also art pieces with bold messages behind them about conservation. Through this, both the tourists and the locals become conscious about environmental protection through the eyes of an artist,” says Greg Bakunzi, founder of the Red Rocks Art Gallery.
Hotels surrounding the main tourist attractions in Musanze are cashing in on this trend, playing host to several art pieces and exhibitions from artists as far as Kigali. At the Red Rocks Cultural Center in Nyakinama village, you find pieces of artwork placed strategically at the reception, and more often than not when a tourist wants to depart, he or she is likely to buy these art pieces.
Mohamed Ndabaye, a resident artist at Red Rocks Cultural Center, says over the last few years, tourism in Musanze has tremendously grown, and this has been a boon to them since they are able to produce and sell more pieces.
“Rwandan artists mostly rely on tourists Only a few locals purchase our products. It’s therefore prudent to strategically place our products where tourists can easily reach them. It’s good that more galleries are opening doors here in Musanze, and artists are now able to find places they can display and market their products,” says Bakunzi.
By Joseph Ondiek
The painting, which was once part of Charles I’s Royal collection and was sold for just £45 in the 1950s when it was mistaken for a copy, is the last remaining Leonardo in private hands.
It sold for a total amount, including fees paid by the winner to the auction house, of $450,312,500 million following 19 minutes of bidding at Christie’s in New York – despite lingering questions by some experts over its authenticity and condition.
Four telephone bidders and one in the auction room dueled for the masterpiece, which had a guaranteed pre-sale bid of at least $100 million.
The hammer eventually fell at $400 million, leading to applause and cheers by the stunned crowd. The victor – one of the phone bidders – was not immediately identified on Wednesday night.
The painting depicts Christ in a blue robe holding a crystal orb, which represents the Earth, and is one of fewer than 20 paintings by the grand master known still to exist.
Leonardo, who died in 1519, is thought to have painted Salvator Mundi sometime after 1500, during the same period that he produced the Mona Lisa, and it made its way into the Royal collection of Charles I in the early Seventeenth Century.
It then disappeared in 1763 until 1900, when it was acquired by Sir Charles Robinson, an art collector, for the Cook Collection, Doughty House, Richmond. At the time, the painting was thought to have been by Leonardo’s follower, Bernardino Luini and Christ’s face and hair had been painted over.
{Leave it to Google to think big. The internet giant partnered with 50 organizations across the country to create the largest digital collection of U.S. Latino art, culture and history ever curated online.}
The project, intended to preserve and share stories and exhibits related to Latino history in the United States, went live today – just days before the official start of Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from September 15 to October 15.
“The Google Arts & Culture: Latino Cultures in the US collection is a labor of love for many Googlers and partner institutions. It was a project that was more than a year in the making and took an small army to help digitize the 2,500 new artworks and curate 69 new exhibits,” says Jesús García, Head of Hispanic Communications, Google & YouTube.
The digital exhibit has over 4,300 archives and artworks – including Diego Rivera murals – related to the Latino experience in the U.S., multimedia exhibits in English and Spanish and virtual tours of historic sites, as well as profiles of key Latino figures, such as Cesar Chavez, Dolores Huerta and Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor.
The massive collection aims to show the cultural contributions and impact of Latinos in the United States going all the way back to the 1500’s. The site will become a permanent online fixture.
A section dedicated to Latinos in news and entertainment features photos and interviews with iconic actors such as Héctor Elizondo, Rita Moreno, Edward James Olmos and the late Ricardo Montalbán talking about stereotypical portrayals of Latinos in Hollywood, how they were typecast and how they dealt with those challenges, which continue to be an issue today.
{As British author Neil Gaiman put it, “a book is a dream that you hold in your hand”, the truth supported by Haepi Bookstore, an establishment situated in the centre of the capital city, Kigali, at Ubumwe Grande building; you won’t certainly miss it, the “Books & Convenience” sign words will seduce you to enter the bookstore.}
It’s in the morning of the 23rd January 2017 that Haepi Bookstore opened with a vision of being East Africa’s most customer-centric bookstore that provides convenience and timeliness as well as top class experience to shoppers of knowledge and information.
Less than a year in operations, many have visited the cocoon but one may wonder…what is special about this place? Which services do they offer? And who dares to walk in? Well let’s talk a bit about the perfect bookstore.
What makes Haepi Bookstore unique is not just the fact that it is only a bookstore in city centre but also the cut-tailored services that they offer. If you are a book nerd or looking to spend some quality time, here are some of the services customised for your pleasure.
Library Services: Haepi Bookstore offers different library services with a wide collection of books ranging from fiction, literature, novels and magazines to newspapers and children story books… in fact, every genre is there and you will enjoy that calm and delightful place it is.
Book Shopping: Interested in buying a good book, then Haepi Bookstore is the perfect place for you and if you don’t want to move a toe to the shop, then order it via their website and it will be delivered to your residence or workplace immediately at no added cost.
Events and Meetings: Haepi Bookstore hosts events and meetings such as book clubs meetings, Books Signing and Readings, Reader’s coffee time for adults, Story time for children aged 2 to 5 years, Guided reading time for children aged 6 to 12 years, Bookworms Coffee Time and courses for aspiring authors, just to mention but a few.
Coffee, Snacks and free Wi-Fi: If you are an on-go reader, the bookstore comprises of a coffee shop corner where you can sit and read or enjoy surfing on the internet.
Haepi Bookstore which vows to help in developing the reading culture in Rwanda, provides to clients with a carefully chosen mix of bestseller and high interest books as well as other print and audio-visual materials, in different categories and ranges of prices, reflecting the unique character of the sub-region’s diverse population.
On a bonus note, being a member of Haepi Bookstore costs almost nothing as the annual membership costs only 10,000frw for an adult and 5,000frw for the under twelve years old. Members may borrow books from Haepi library for a minimal fee, enjoy 5% discount on book purchases, host their book-related events at Haepi Bookstore for free, be the first to be informed of new releases, top book arrivals and discount offers, all that for the next 365 days after joining the Haepi bookworm family.
“What I say is, a town isn’t a town without a bookstore. It may call itself a town, but unless it’s got a bookstore, it knows it’s not fooling a soul.” -Neil Gaiman. Has Kigali got a bookstore now? Definitely yes, Haepi Bookstore, call it Books One-Stop Centre. What are you waiting for? Check it out today!
{Imagine We, a local social enterprise, recently opened a co-working space that has so far brought together six start-ups in one setting to share experiences and keep all afloat.}
Located near Kacyiru Sector office in Kigali, the space dubbed “Imagine Nation” seeks to help small and medium enterprises overcome challenges that fail them in the first three years of operation.
The five companies in Imagine We’s co-working space laud the new working approach and urge other start-ups to emulate the model.
The five include; Acacia Book Café which sells gift items in a coffee shop setting; Bag Innovation, founded by a Swedish national who prepares university students into becoming consultants; Elcon Media which deals in producing documentaries and animation; Ikobe Communications focusing on storytelling and Awesomity Lab which creates websites, software and applications.
Speaking to IGIHE last Friday, Imagine We’s founder Dominique Uwase Alonga said she realised the need for facilitating start-ups to grow and opened doors for them in June, considering that she had a very big space at her premises.
“It is about two months since we opened this co-working space but I have realised that such space is highly needed because I had received five new entrants within the first month while I expected to receive the first company at least after six months. We are now six companies in these premises,” she said.
Companies in the space are gaining clients from one another because visitors to one take a tour all around, sharing experiences, helping one another with skills and equipments as well as a significant reduction on operational costs mainly on house rent and utilities.
Each company pays a monthly rent of between $50 (around Rwf41,000) and $200 (Rwf165,000) depending on the size of the room a company needs.
“Starting companies often suffer from financial constraints, lack of clients and partners, and limited capacity in institution management especially because we are all young. All managers of these six companies are aged less than 30 years. Working together has got us solutions to most of these challenges,” says Alonga.
She added that the space is temporarily closed in order to harmonise the co-working conditions and build up firm systems before receiving new entrants in the next two months
The six companies in ‘Imagine Nation’ space have started a joint radio talk show project on how to start a company in Rwanda and it is being executed by Elcon Media, one among the six.
Yvès Honoré Bisemage, one of Awesomity Lab founders said their operational costs have reduced and clients doubled since they joined the co-working space last month.
Natasha Umutoni, a founding member of Acacia Book Café said they have also gained clients and operational costs reduced up to 30% since June when they got into Imagine We’s Imagine Nation.
Alonga advises young entrepreneurs to get together, avoid expensive offices and equipments in order to first develop themselves instead of trying to look bigger than they really are.
Having opened in January 2015 with the aim of encouraging Rwandans to read and write, Imagine We has reached out to 6000 people, opened libraries in 20 schools and University Teaching Hospital of Kigali (CHUK), trained many language teachers and published two books. It is publishing three more books and opening libraries in three hospitals including CHUB in this August.
