Held in the Greater Copenhagen area, the annual festival brought together residents, political representatives, associations, businesses and people from diverse cultural backgrounds, providing the Rwandan community with an opportunity to share the country’s heritage and strengthen cultural ties with the local community.
At the Rwandan stand, visitors learned about Rwanda’s tourism attractions, including its wildlife and other travel experiences, while also receiving practical information for those interested in visiting the country.
The community also presented a range of Rwandan products, including coffee, handwoven bags, artistic creations and other handcrafted items reflecting the creativity and craftsmanship of Rwandans. Rwandan coffee attracted particularly strong interest among festival participants.
Nelly Gatete, a representative of RCA Denmark, said children, young people and adults were all invited to participate in the activities.
“The goal of the Rwandan community is, above all, to help young people understand that they do not have to choose between being Rwandan and being Danish. They can have roots in both cultures, contribute to both societies, and use this unique position to serve as bridges between the two,” she said.
Gatete said the festival also demonstrated how diversity can become a strength when people have opportunities to meet, exchange and learn about one another.
Gladsaxe is home to people from different countries, cultures and backgrounds, she said, adding that such diversity becomes a source of strength when communities are given opportunities to interact.
Traditional Rwandan songs and dances were also part of the programme, with Itorero Umurage entertaining festivalgoers through performances showcasing Rwandan traditions.
Rwandan artist Suzanne Nyiranyamibwa also contributed to the event, helping introduce the public to aspects of Rwanda’s culture and history.
Gatete said the event demonstrated that people can maintain their cultural identity while building new connections in the communities where they live.
“Gladsaxedagen 2026 showed that people can preserve their roots while also putting down new roots in the communities where they live. Culture and belonging are not contradictory; they can go hand in hand, complement each other, and help build a stronger community in which everyone feels represented,” she said.
The event gave young Rwandans living abroad an opportunity to reconnect with and celebrate their heritage, while allowing Danish residents and people from other communities to discover and engage with Rwandan culture.
The participation further highlighted the role of Rwandans living abroad in strengthening links between Rwanda and Denmark through cultural exchange, tourism promotion and the showcasing of Rwandan products.
The Municipality of Gladsaxe has also regularly responded to invitations from the Embassy of Rwanda in the Nordic countries to participate in events including the commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi and International Women’s Day.
Such engagements have contributed to relations between the municipality, its residents and the Rwandan community in Denmark.
karirima@igihe.com
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