In the spring of 2006 the Burundi drummers of Rucitme group toured their country for the first time to celebrate the heroes of Burundi: Tutsis and Hutus who helped each other during the genocide of the 1990’s. The tour was an extraordinary success both in its scope, promotion of dialogue and providing an arena for speech in Burundi. Hundreds of Burundians from distant villages walked for hours to watch Ruciteme’s performance and listen to the testimonies of the heroes. The tour became the subject of conversations and radio programs in neighboring countries, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). David Shem-tov immortalized the tour (see photos) and the testimonies of the heroes during the tour were in the website he set up with his own resources.
In October 2007 three drumming groups from DRC, Rwanda and Burundi toured their respective countries as well as neighboring countries, to celebrate their heroes and promote peace as part of Drumming for Peace.
The specific objectives of the project Drumming for peace are 1. To publicly recognize and celebrate the heroes and peace builders of Burundi, Rwanda and DRC in their communities;
2. To use the power of drumming as an artistic expression of unity and solidarity;
3. To promote peace and anti war to the largest possible audience through the tour, local media, especially radio, coverage
4. To Create a website in English, French, Swahili, Kirundi and Kirwanda addressing the issues.
For the Prince Claus Fund this project fits into its policy as the project addresses the theme of Living Together, and it crosses ethnic and national borders, sending a peaceful message of coexistence through a highly significant, and akin to all, artistic practice. The groups are made up of members from different ethnic groups as well. The project has high development relevance and can be placed within the context of Truth and Reconciliation. The organizers will document the progress, the results of which are of interest to the Prince Claus Fund in order to profile its actions in the region. The BBC is interested in broadcasting the film about the tour, which will be made by Maziar Bahari. The project also relates to the 2007 PCF theme Culture and Conflict.
One million people were killed in the Rwandan genocide of 1994. More than 300,000 were killed in Burundi between 1993 and 2003. The average death toll in DRC is 1,200 per day; four million people have died in DRC in the past six years. Every citizen of these countries has either been a subject of physical violence, displacement or lost a member of his/her family in the atrocities. The image of Great Lake region has become that of the tired glance of a widow, the empty stare of an orphan or the angry frustration of an unemployed youth.
Yet within this harrowing panorama there is hope. The idea of a bright future is kept alive by the heroes and peace builders of the Great Lakes region. They are the heroes who during the genocides in Rwanda and Burundi risked their lives to save the lives of the others. They are the heroes of the DRC who protected people of Rwandan origin when the political situation led to a head-hunt for anyone who resembled a Rwandan. They are the heroes of DRC who dare to mediate in situations where raped women are rejected by the husbands and families, and arrive at a humane reconciliation.
Drumming for Peace invokes that hope through culture. It celebrates the courage, perseverance and determination of the heroes who have given a new meaning to the word “humanity.” By recognising these heroes it not only encourage hope and humanity in the spectators of the drumming performances but also allow the heroes to draw roadmap for a brighter future in the Great Lakes region.
Maziar Bahari established Off-Centre Productions in 1995 with the aim of creating documentaries and cultural events that cross national boundaries and bring cultures together. Maziar Bahari collaborates with Channel 4 Televison, BBC and Search for Common Ground. Off-Centre Productions is headed by him with deputy director David Shem-tov. The first production was "The Voyage of the Saint Louis" about the fatal voyage of more than 900 German Jewish refugees in 1939. Since then Bahari has been active as a filmmaker and journalist. His films include "Paint! No Matter What", "Of Shames and Coffins", "Mohammad and the Matchmaker", "Football, Iranian Style", "And Along Came a Spider", and "Targets: Reporters in Iraq". His plays A Fairly Justified Revenge and Romance in Abu Ghraib have been performed as part of 1001 Nights Now compilation since 2003. Bahari has been one of very few reporters working in Iraq since the invasion in 2003. In the spring of 2005 Bahari organized a tour of Burundi drummers to celebrate the courage of Burundi heroes. For one week the heroes of Burundi traveled around their country. The event is documented on the website: www.burundivoices.org and will be made into a film by Maziar Bahari.
In addition to the tour itself there will be four products that will accompany the tour: 1. A documentary film made by Maziar Bahari that shows different stages of the tour; 2. A CD which will contain the music performed by the drummer; 3. A website that will document different parts of the tour; and 4. A book by David Shem-tov about the heroes of Burundi.
Photos by David Shem-Tov Drumming for Peace
With the aim of encouraging worldwide cultural debate, the Prince Claus Fund organises and supports events around the world to facilitate intercultural exchange. These events include conferences, lectures, meetings and exhibitions.
The results of these exchange events are presented to a wider, international audience in the form of articles, books and websites.
These exchange events provide a creative environment in which new approaches can be presented and new contributors can become engaged in the debate. The events also serve as a guide to the Prince Claus Fund in its endeavours in the field of culture and development.
