{"id":2000130173,"date":"2026-10-23T18:36:01","date_gmt":"2026-10-23T16:36:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/?p=2000130173"},"modified":"2026-10-23T18:36:24","modified_gmt":"2026-10-23T16:36:24","slug":"literary-community-to-convene-in-kigali-for-2026-africa-writers-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/literary-community-to-convene-in-kigali-for-2026-africa-writers-day\/","title":{"rendered":"Literary community to convene in Kigali for Africa Writers Day"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The event, scheduled to begin at 8 a.m., is organised by the Rwanda Books Industry Association (RWABIA\/PSF) in collaboration with the Rwanda Writers Federation (RWF) and partners. Representatives of the Pan-African Writers Association, a continental body bringing together writers and writers\u2019 organisations across Africa, are also expected to attend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The celebration aims to promote African literature, strengthen reading and writing culture, support the publishing industry and highlight the contribution of writers to the continent\u2019s social, cultural and economic development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Writers at the heart of Africa\u2019s transformation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 2026 celebration will be held under the theme: \u201cAfrican Writers at the Heart of Africa\u2019s Transformation: Writing Our Stories, Preserving Our Heritage and Building a Knowledge-Based Continent.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The theme highlights the role of writers in preserving history, culture and knowledge while contributing to Africa\u2019s intellectual and economic development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A high-level panel discussion will examine the question: \u201cCan Africa Build a Knowledge-Based Economy Without Building a Strong Reading, Writing and Publishing Culture?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The discussion will explore how books, research, publishing and reading can contribute to Africa\u2019s long-term development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

International Book Fair among major highlights<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The programme will feature an International Book Fair and Exhibition, where writers, publishers and other book industry players will showcase their works.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Participants will be able to discover and purchase books, interact with authors and publishers, establish professional networks and explore opportunities for collaboration across African countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other activities will include panel discussions, book presentations and launches, group discussions, networking sessions and recognition of outstanding writers for their contributions to literature, education, research and culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hategekimana highlights writers\u2019 role in national development<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Richard Hategekimana, chairman of the Rwanda Books Industry Association and president of the Rwanda Writers Federation, said the celebration provides an opportunity to recognise writers as contributors to national and continental development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He expressed appreciation to President Paul Kagame for promoting values such as patriotism, discipline, resilience, hard work and commitment to national development, which he said continue to inspire Rwanda\u2019s writing community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of Rwanda\u2019s writers and the book industry, we deeply appreciate the leadership of His Excellency President Paul Kagame. His leadership has inspired us to understand that writing is not simply about producing books; it is also a responsibility to preserve knowledge, document our country\u2019s journey, promote our values and ensure that future generations understand where Rwanda has come from, what it has achieved and the aspirations that continue to guide its development,\u201d Hategekimana said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He urged writers to uphold these values by documenting Rwanda\u2019s experiences and achievements while contributing ideas that support the country\u2019s continued development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese values should also guide us as writers. We have a responsibility to write our own stories, document Rwanda\u2019s achievements accurately and responsibly, preserve our history and contribute ideas that can support the country\u2019s continued development,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hategekimana also called for greater support for writers, describing investment in the book industry as an investment in knowledge and the development of society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen we support a writer, we are investing in knowledge. When people buy and read books, they contribute to building a society that thinks critically, creates knowledge, innovates and preserves its story for future generations,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He called on universities, schools, private sector institutions, development partners and the wider public to support writers by buying, reading and promoting their books.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOur writers must be valued, our books must be read, and African stories must be documented and preserved by Africans themselves,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Writers urged to document Rwanda\u2019s development journey<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hategekimana encouraged Rwandan writers to conduct research, produce quality publications and document developments in areas including education, governance, economic transformation, technology, entrepreneurship, culture, unity and infrastructure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOur country is producing experiences and lessons that deserve to be documented. If we do not write them, important knowledge can be lost. As writers, we must therefore transform what our country is achieving into books, research and other forms of knowledge that can be accessed by Rwandans, Africans and future generations,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also urged young Rwandans to embrace reading, writing and research, noting that a knowledge-based economy requires citizens who can think critically, question existing ideas, innovate and generate new knowledge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLet us write Rwanda. Let us preserve our heritage. Let us document our achievements and lessons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd above all, let us build a generation that understands that books and knowledge are essential foundations of sustainable development,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Representatives of individuals and institutions recognised for their contributions to Rwanda\u2019s book industry during the 2025 Africa Writers Day celebration.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Kigali Independent University was awarded during last year’s Africa Writers Day Celebration at Intare Arena in Rusororo.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Richard Hategekimana was awarded the title of Rwanda\u2019s best author for publishing more than 50 books during last year\u2019s Africa Writers Day celebration at Intare Arena in Rusororo.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Richard Hategekimana, chairman of the Rwanda Writers Federation and president of the Rwanda Books Industry Association.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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A book written by Commissioner of Police Dr Daniel Nyamwasa, which will be presented during the celebration.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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A book written by Callixte Kanamugire, Acting CEO of the Private Sector Federation (PSF), which will be officially launched during the celebration.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Rwanda will host the Africa Writers Day Celebration on November 7, 2026, at Kigali Serena Hotel, bringing together writers, publishers, researchers, academics and other book industry professionals from Rwanda and across Africa.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":139,"featured_media":2000130199,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"archived_slugs":[],"footnotes":"","igh_game_id":0},"categories":[54],"tags":[151,69],"byline":[201],"hashtag":[],"class_list":["post-2000130173","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-books","tag-editors-choice","tag-homehighlights","byline-rania-umutoni"],"bylines":[{"id":201,"name":"Rania Umutoni","slug":"rania-umutoni","description":"","image":{"id":2000122457,"url":"https:\/\/cdn.igihe.com\/en\/2026\/08\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-08-14-at-12.00.00-PM.jpeg","title":"WhatsApp Image 2026-08-14 at 12.00.00 PM","mime_type":"image\/jpeg"},"user_id":139,"twitter_handle":""}],"contributors":[{"id":201,"name":"Rania Umutoni","slug":"rania-umutoni","description":"","image":{"id":2000122457,"url":"https:\/\/cdn.igihe.com\/en\/2026\/08\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-08-14-at-12.00.00-PM.jpeg","title":"WhatsApp Image 2026-08-14 at 12.00.00 PM","mime_type":"image\/jpeg"},"user_id":139,"twitter_handle":""}],"featured_image":{"id":2000130199,"url":"https:\/\/cdn.igihe.com\/en\/2026\/10\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-10-23-at-15.12.19.jpeg","alt":"","caption":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","width":1080,"height":720,"sizes":{"thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/cdn.igihe.com\/en\/2026\/10\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-10-23-at-15.12.19.jpeg","width":1080,"height":720},"medium":{"url":"https:\/\/cdn.igihe.com\/en\/2026\/10\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-10-23-at-15.12.19.jpeg","width":1080,"height":720},"medium_large":{"url":"https:\/\/cdn.igihe.com\/en\/2026\/10\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-10-23-at-15.12.19.jpeg","width":1080,"height":720},"large":{"url":"https:\/\/cdn.igihe.com\/en\/2026\/10\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-10-23-at-15.12.19.jpeg","width":1080,"height":720},"full":{"url":"https:\/\/cdn.igihe.com\/en\/2026\/10\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-10-23-at-15.12.19.jpeg","width":1080,"height":720}}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2000130173","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/139"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2000130173"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2000130173\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2000130214,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2000130173\/revisions\/2000130214"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2000130199"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2000130173"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2000130173"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2000130173"},{"taxonomy":"byline","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/byline?post=2000130173"},{"taxonomy":"hashtag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/hashtag?post=2000130173"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}