Author: Théophile Niyitegeka

{{At the launch of the new book titled ‘We are Rwanda’, H.E. Christine Nkulikiyinka, Rwanda’s envoy to Germany reviewed the book. Below are excerpts of the complete interview by Martin Brandes.}}

Martin Brandes: {Madam Ambassador, you have just published a book, entitled „We are Rwanda“ and released it during the celebrations of Liberation Day here in Berlin. How did you come up with the idea to publish such a book? }

{{H.E. Christine Nkulikiyinka}},. You may be aware of the fact that it is often others who speak or write about Rwanda. Yet, among those there are many who judge the people and the country without taking into account what we Rwandans really think or feel. In order to give Rwandans themselves a voice and to leave this rather passive role of being talked about I have published a book in which Rwandans speak for themselves.

At the same time I wanted to shed some light on contemporary Rwandan-German relations. In the book, German investors, for example, provide an account of their very own experience of today’s Rwanda. We also speak about our partnership with Rhineland-Palatine.

Also, I was keen to show our country’s bright side, to show the route of successful development our country has taken over the past years. The book’s aim is also to counter the prognosis that Rwanda’s future would not be a positive one.

M.B.{{ The book’s title “We are Rwanda” suggest that Rwandans themselves narrate the book? }}

C.N. Indeed, most of the stories presented are narrated by Rwandans themselves. They let the reader know about themselves and about their view on Rwanda. They tell how they live there, what they think, how they feel, what drives them, what dreams they have for their futures – all contributions are very personal accounts.

Those providing their stories, of course, only represent a small sample of our population. Yet, these people are from a broad range of professions and backgrounds and represent many others at the same time. The sum of the stories they tell reflects the lives of a big chunk of our population.

M.B. {{Madam Ambassador, you already have a job which is quite time-consuming. How did you manage to publish a book “on the side”? }}

{{C.N}}. This is true. My job can be quite challenging at times; yet, I also enjoy representing Rwanda a lot. This is why it was a great pleasure for me to also dedicate my free time to implement this important project.

Yet, I would not have been able to succeed all by myself. With Andrea Jeska I had an experienced author by my side. She already published a number of books and was awarded prices for her excellent work as a journalist.

Tom Baerwald, a renowned photographer, added another dimension to the project. His professional photos enrich the book so much. Both Tom and Andrea have found the right access to our country and its people.

They have built trust to those they portrayed so that the portrayed people could open up, share their feelings and personal accounts of past actualities with them.

It was a matter of luck that Andrea had the time for the project and that she was willing to work under much time pressure. Both Tom and Andrea were a unique support to me.

M.B. {{You mention time pressure? How much time did the production of the book take? }}

{{C.N.}} Together with Andrea I had discussed the idea of creating a positive book about Rwanda several years ago. Yet, we did not follow up on this idea back then. With the 20th Liberation Day approaching I saw the opportunity had come to speak out about Rwanda ourselves.

We fixed the idea in September 2013. Yet, I had to find sponsors for the book’s financial support first. In the end we produced the book at a record speed of only seven months.

M.B. {{Madame Ambassador, what would you like to achieve with this book? }}

{{C.N.}} There are several issues I would like to tackle with this book. For one, I would like to give a voice to the various different people in Rwanda and I hope to contribute to improving the understanding of Rwandans and Rwanda among outsiders in Germany but also in other countries.

Also, I would like to start a discussion on taking into account the inhabitants’ thoughts and perspective when engaging with another country, like Rwanda, as an outsider. The book is also meant to contribute to correct the mostly negative media image of Rwanda and Africa in general and to show the everyday life beyond the big headlines of crises.

M.B. {{Now the book has been published in German. Is it targeted at German audiences only? }}

{{C.N}}. Not only. As the Ambassador to Berlin I would, of course, like to reach the German audience in the first place. Yet, we would like to translate the book into English, too, so that people in Rwanda and elsewhere can read it as well. By now, however, the financing of an English edition is not yet certain.

M.B. {{During the Berlin reception on the occasion of Liberation Day a photo exhibition by Tom Baerwald was presented, too. What is the idea behind this?}}

{{C.N}}. The exhibition is the project’s second part. Tom was travelling Rwanda for more than two months, partly together with Andrea. He has got to know those portrayed so that they allowed him to take their pictures. He also took photos of the landscape which are part of the exhibition, too.

Currently only a small part of the exhibition is presented in different places in Berlin. The idea is to have this exhibition tour throughout Germany so that as many people as possible can get to know Rwandans and Rwanda better.

The large entire exhibition is foreseen to be shown for the first time in Munich. We hope to be able to bring it to Rwanda afterwards.

M.B. {{Are there any other remarks you would like to add on the issue?}}

{{C.N}}. Thank you. Yes, I would like to thank a number of people. I would like to thank Andrea and Tom. My gratitude goes to the generous sponsors, here to Dr. Charles Mamisch in particular, who helped to make the project become reality in the end.

Also I would like to thank my family, who – for quite some time – had to spend evenings and weekends without me.

If you are interested to get the book, please feel free to contact the Embassy.
Last, I would like to wish our readers an enriching and interesting read!