Belgians Introduced to Rwandan Culture and Language

On Sunday, March 16, Umutangana Yvette, a Rwandan living in Bruges, Belgium, and the representative of the Rwandan Diaspora in northern Belgium, held a session introducing Belgian children and their parents to Rwanda’s culture and language. The event took place at the Central Library of Bruges, known as “Bibliothèque Centrale de Bruges.”

Each year, the Bibliotheek de Dijk in Sint Pieters, Belgium, organizes an initiative where they visit different libraries across the country to read stories to children about the culture and language of a foreign country. This program aims to promote cultural diversity and awareness of traditions from around the world.

This year, the event was hosted at the central library in Bruges, with Rwanda selected as the featured country. Children and their parents had the opportunity to learn about the Kinyarwanda language and Rwandan traditions.

Speaking to Family Magazine, Umutangana Yvette explained that Rwanda was chosen to showcase its rich cultural heritage and language. In collaboration with Lieselot Vancoille, the Department Head at the Public Library of Bruges and the Branch Manager of Library De Dijk in Sint-Pieters, Umutangana prepared both written and visual materials to teach attendees about Rwanda. She read stories in Kinyarwanda, while Lieslot translated them into Dutch, one of Belgium’s official languages.

Dressed in traditional Rwandan attire featuring the colors of the national flag, Umutangana noted the enthusiasm of the attendees. “They loved Rwandan culture, and some even expressed interest in visiting Rwanda to deepen their understanding of the language and traditions,” she said.

The event highlighted Rwanda’s history, customs, and language while encouraging cultural exchange. It concluded with a lively performance of traditional Rwandan dances, where both children and adults joined in the celebration.

Peace Hillary