Ishyo Art Centre and Goethe Institut,
Kacyiru:
This is a platform for all artists,
arts lovers, culture professionals, activists, critics, entrepreneurs and
everyone else who is passionate or just curious about traditional and/or
contemporary modes of artistic expression. Ishyo also hosts different events
related to fashion, plays, music and different other aspects of culture. It
usually hosts experts from different countries to train and work with Rwanda
artists, encouraging cultural diversity and improving skills. It is also home
to the Goethe Institut - well known for its movie night every Tuesday evening.
You will find a lot more than movies as it also organises brainstorm debates
every last Thursday of the month.
Kigali City Tower:
Kigali City Tower is located in the
city centre. This blue, curvy building with a protruding stick like part of it
at the top can't be missed as it is our only real sky scraper. It is the
tallest building in the country with 18 storeys of well designed architect and
beauty. From the outer look it may not look that big but when you enter, it
might take you all day just to see everything in it, ranging from supermarkets,
offices, restaurants, boutiques, gadget shops, radio stations and do you know
what else? Rwanda's new 5D cinema is also there.
Mamba Club, Rwanda's only bowling
alley:
There is no way you can classify Kigali
City treasures and not mention Mamba Club. It's located in Kimihurura in front
of Top Security headquarters. It is a bar and restaurant and even has several
health fitness facilities ranging from a swimming pool, a hot yoga facility and
it is Rwanda's only bowling alley. Besides the bowling alley and comfortable
lounge, there is an area with sand to play beach volleyball. In other words you
don't need to go to Gisenyi to enjoy beach volleyball. Bowling is an American
game that is enjoyed by both children and adults. It's relaxing and fun
especially if there are two teams competing. It is a wonderful place for people
of all age groups. For example during birthday parties for children, bouncing
castles are set up for the children to have fun.
Kigali Public Library:
Like a diamond that has many facets,
Kigali, the capital city of Rwanda has many faces. For those who prefer the
literary one, I am sure you cannot leave without visiting the Kigali Public
Library. Located in Kacyiru opposite the American Embassy, the standard fare
from everywhere is 200 Rwandan Francs, except of course for those who live in
Kacyiru. The building stands proud and majestic facing the sun and proving the
UNICEF report that almost seventy five percent of Rwandans are literate. The
library has several sections including children and teenagers and adult sections
which all have several collections and reading areas. The building also has an
African section that includes history and literature, an internet café which
enables the readers to have access to the Library and a reference section.
Genocide Memorial Gisozi
Most people around the world know our
small country as the home of one of the most atrocious massacres that have ever
been carried out between brother tribes. The 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi
left over a million dead and many others wounded. With this background, one
cannot expect to come to Kigali and leave without visiting the Kigali Genocide
Memorial. Located on one of Kigali's hills, the memorial tells the story of
what happened in very few words but many pictures and videos Beautifully
decorated, the centre stands on the site of 250,000 mass graves. The centre is
a must visit if one is to learn the root of Rwandan persistence and optimism.
Kandt House:
The museum is dedicated to Dr. Richard
Kandt, a German doctor and explorer who embarked on the exploration of Rwanda
in 1897, searching for the source of the Nile River. The Nature History Museum
aims at examining the richness of Rwandan nature. This museum showcases many
specimen and replicas of natural wonders of the country. As the only national
museum in Kigali, do not dare attempt to leave Kigali without visiting it at
least once.
kLab: Where ICT came to life:
For a country that is striking a fine
balance between technology, business, innovation and preparing the next
generation of IT leaders in Africa is what kLab does. kLab, a community of
technology wizards and entrepreneurs is one of the spaces that play an
important role in growing and supporting the Rwandan ICT entrepreneurs
community. By transiting at kLab, techpreneurs are coming up with viable ICT
solutions, being able to sell them and earn a living out of it. But this space
isn't only for experts, it also has different programs of mentorship, capacity
building, networking events and inspirational talks. So let your inner nerd
come out!
