Radiate Rwanda Literary Awards Celebrate the Power of Words and National Spirit

In a ceremony that celebrated Rwanda’s burgeoning literary scene, the Radiate Rwanda Foundation honored five authors for their exceptional contributions. The event, held in the heart of Kigali, was presided over by the President of the Jury, Professor Callixte Kabera, Rector of the East African University Rwanda, who delivered a powerful address on the jury’s work and the award’s role in stimulating creative inspiration.

A Celebration of Literary Brilliance and National Identity

“It gives me great pleasure and deep honour to stand before you tonight,” Professor Kabera began, setting the tone for an evening dedicated to more than just accolades. He described the Radiate Rwanda 2025 awards as an extraordinary celebration of literary brilliance and human imagination, emphasizing that the gathering was an affirmation of the collective belief in the power of words—words that heal, teach, provoke, and inspire transformation.

This ceremony, he noted, marks more than an awards event; it is a celebration of Rwanda’s growing literary spirit, reflecting the nation’s journey toward valuing thought, culture, and creativity. “Literature, at its best, is both a mirror and a lamp,” he observed. “It reflects who we are, and it illuminates the path toward who we aspire to become.”

The Journey of Creativity and Selection

Professor Kabera reflected on the inspiring and humbling journey the jury undertook. The committee had the privilege of reading, listening to, and engaging with a diverse array of voices—from established authors to emerging storytellers who dared to dream in ink.

This year’s submissions were notably rich in imagination, emotional depth, and artistic craftsmanship. The jury encountered poetry that sang of identity and hope, short stories grappling with memory and loss, essays challenging social realities, and creative works giving voice to the unspoken corners of society.

Selecting the awardees was no simple task. Behind every name called that evening lay a sea of talent, courage, and dedication. Professor Kabera made a point to honor every writer who submitted work, stating they were all winners for having the courage to share their truth and lay bare their hearts before the world.

The diversity and maturity of this year’s submissions sent a clear message: Rwanda is rising not only in innovation and enterprise but also in literature. “Our pens are awakening, our voices are growing louder, and our stories are radiating beyond borders,” he declared.

The Deeper Meaning of Radiate Rwanda

But what does “Radiate Rwanda” truly signify? Professor Kabera explained it represents a vision positioning literature at the heart of national expression and intellectual progress.

Through storytelling, poetry, and creative writing, Rwanda continues to shape an identity known not only for remarkable transformation and unity but also for depth of thought and cultural consciousness. As a nation that has moved from tragedy to triumph, literature now plays a crucial role in defining its legacy.

“Every word written by a Rwandan author is a light in our collective journey,” he stated, “a light that radiates the wisdom, resilience, and beauty of our people.” These stories connect generations, carry history, and imagine the future, ensuring that children remember where the nation came from while dreaming of where it can go together.

Gratitude and Recognition

Professor Kabera extended deep appreciation to the organizers of the Radiate Rwanda Literary Awards for their dedication and foresight in nurturing this platform. He thanked partners, sponsors, and supporters for believing that literature deserves investment and celebration, noting that by standing with writers, they stand with the thinkers, educators, and dreamers who shape the nation’s conscience and creativity.

To his fellow jury members, he expressed sincere gratitude for their diligence, fairness, and intellectual rigor, which ensured the selection process upheld the highest standards of excellence. He noted they approached every work not merely as evaluators but as readers who respect the labor of imagination.

Most importantly, he thanked all writers—published or unpublished—who participated, reminding everyone that the written word is not a luxury but a necessity. “Through your stories,” he said, “Rwanda continues to breathe, to reflect, and to rise.”

To the Awardees: A Beginning, Not an End

To the evening’s awardees, Professor Kabera offered heartfelt congratulations, noting their works had captured something profound—a truth, a vision, a rhythm speaking to the heart of Rwanda and beyond.

He emphasized that their achievements marked not an end but a beginning, urging them to let this recognition be a call to greater heights. “Keep writing, keep questioning, keep creating,” he encouraged. “Let your words continue to open doors of understanding and build bridges of empathy.”

He reminded them that literature carries responsibility alongside beauty—the responsibility to inspire the young, challenge injustice, and deepen the moral imagination of society. “You carry that torch now,” he said. “Carry it with grace and courage.”

A Call to the Literary Future

Looking forward, Professor Kabera stressed that the future of Rwanda’s literary movement depends on collaboration between schools and publishers, writers and readers, storytellers and the digital world.

He called for continued creation of spaces for writers to grow through creative writing workshops, book fairs, translation programs, and literary festivals connecting Rwandan authors with continental and global audiences.

Equally important is encouraging reading, he noted, since every great writer begins as a reader. “Let our schools, our homes, and our communities make reading a culture, not an obligation,” he urged, explaining that reading cultivates empathy, creativity, and vision.

“If we are to radiate Rwanda,” Professor Kabera concluded, “then let us do so not only with the brilliance of our infrastructure and innovation, but with the brilliance of our minds—illuminated by literature.”

Closing Reflections on Storytelling

In his final remarks, Professor Kabera invoked Chinua Achebe’s timeless reflection: “The story is our escort; without it, we are blind.”

As Radiate Rwanda 2025 was celebrated, he expressed hope that all would continue walking guided by stories that reveal humanity, celebrate heritage, and project dreams into the future.

His parting words to every writer in the room: “Keep telling the story of Rwanda—the story of a nation that heals, that grows, that imagines. Let us continue to write in our languages, in our rhythms, in our truth. Let Rwanda continue to radiate through words that unite, words that endure, and words that inspire.”

Source: Original message delivered by Professor Callixte Kabera at the Radiate Rwanda 2025 Awards Ceremony.