Rwanda’s National Heroes Day was marked in Switzerland through a gathering that brought together members of the Rwandan diaspora, and friends of Rwanda for an afternoon of reflection, dialogue, and cultural expression. 

In his welcoming remarks, Yves Cyaka, President of the Rwandan Diaspora in Switzerland, emphasized the importance of unity and cohesion within the community, calling for sustained dialogue across generations and collective engagement to preserve identity, transmit values, and contribute meaningfully to Rwanda’s progress.

Eric Nyiligira a community member opened the discussions with a presentation that set the stage for the exchanges. Linking Rwanda’s journey to present-day responsibilities, he underscored how unity and moral clarity have remained central to the country’s resilience, emphasizing that heroism today is expressed through responsibility, integrity, and consistent contribution to national progress, including within the diaspora.

A panel discussion themed “Heroism and National Unity as Foundations of Development,” moderated by Josiane Aboniyo Kennedy, brought together young people from diverse backgrounds who shared personal experiences as members of the Rwandan diaspora.

Michael Tshondo highlighted that identity is sustained through intentional transmission of values and culture rather than physical presence; Clarisse Iradukunda emphasized that unity, responsibility, and service are lived values deliberately taught and carried beyond borders through daily conduct; Ntare Cesar described heroism as daily consistency rooted in integrity, responsibility, and service, particularly for young professionals in the diaspora; and Angèle-Marie Habiyakare underscored civic engagement as a modern form of heroism, expressed through perseverance, public service, and prioritizing the collective good.

In her address, Ambassador Urujeni Bakuramutsa, Rwanda’s Envoy to Switzerland and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office at Geneva paid tribute to the engagement of young people, particularly those living in the diaspora, called on them to draw inspiration from Rwanda’s legacy of courage and responsibility, emphasizing that this legacy requires moral clarity, vigilance, and the courage to stand up for truth and human dignity. 

“The example of the young fighters of the Rwandan Patriotic Army, who stood up against discrimination and put an end to the Genocide against the Tutsi in 1994, contributing to the liberation of the Country, remains a source of inspiration. Their strength was rooted in moral clarity and an unwavering commitment to justice.

This legacy is alive. It calls on us today to defend truth, human dignity, and our values. Heroism is also expressed in the ability to stand up against hate speech, genocidal ideology, and its denial, including in the digital space.”

Cultural celebration was at the heart of the event, with performances by Urunana, a Rwandan cultural dance troupe based in Switzerland. Through traditional dance and artistic expression. The event also underscored the importance of the Kinyarwanda language as a cornerstone of identity and community cohesion, particularly for young members of the diaspora, highlighting its role in transmitting culture, values, and a shared sense of belonging across generations.

Rwanda National Heroes Day celebrations in Switzerland emphasized that paying tribute to the nation’s heroes goes beyond remembrance, and is reflected in living Rwanda’s values through unity, integrity, dialogue, and active contribution to society.