On 11 April 2026, the Rwandan community in Austria, local authorities and friends of Rwanda gathered in Innsbruck, Tyrol, for the 32nd Commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, marking the first time such a remembrance event was held in the region.

The programme featured remarks by Mr. Ralph Eichhübl of the Municipality of Innsbruck, Ms. Epiphanie Kavutse, President of the Rwandan Diaspora Community in Austria, Ms. Yvette Umuhoza representing survivors in Tyrol, and Ms. Honorine Mujyambere of IBUKA Europe, as well as a message from Mr. Thomas Pupp, Founder and Manager of the Tirol KTM Cycling Team. The event also included musical performances by Ms. Sylvie Imenimena, a play presented by children from the Missing Smile Association, and concluded with a commemorative vigil, reflecting a shared commitment to remembrance across generations.

A key moment of the commemoration was the moving testimony delivered by Marie Grace Kresbach Ndagijimana, survivor and author of Steh auf, mein Kind, und geh! (Get up, my child, and walk!). Nine years old at the time of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, she shared a deeply personal testimony highlighting resilience, healing and the transmission of memory to future generations.

In her remarks, Ambassador Urujeni Bakuramutsa welcomed this first commemoration in Tyrol and thanked the Rwandan community for its continued commitment to preserving memory. She also commended the City of Innsbruck for its decision to allocate space for a memorial stele in honour of the victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi, noting that this decision reflects a strong commitment to historical truth, remembrance and the prevention of future atrocities.

This first commemoration in Tyrol marks an important step in strengthening remembrance efforts in Austria and lays the foundation for sustainable future commemorative activities in the region.