Several books written by Rwandan authors have been launched recently both in the country and abroad, signalling a growing writing culture.

Most of the books are autobiographies written by survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in which they narrate their stories of surviving the horrible events of 1994 and life after the dark past among other issues.

The latest book released last week in Kigali was co-authored by Charles Habonimana, a genocide survivor and Daniel Le Scornet, an established French author. The book titled Moi, Le Dernier Tutsi, which translates to “Me, the Last Tutsi”; tells the story of how Mr Habonimana survived the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Mayunzwe,Southern Province.

Speaking at the book launch, Mr Habonimana who survived in a family of 10 people said he wrote the book to tell the whole world what happened in 1994.

“I will die tomorrow, but I know ‘Charles’ will live forever thanks to this book and the testimony,” said the young author and human rights activist.

Happy Umwagarwa, an established author of Hearts Among Ourselves, a book about the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and Drums of Success: 10 Steps On How To Turn Your Creative Potential Into Success, said that Rwanda needs more writers now more than ever before.

“If we don't write it down, future generations shall get lost and shall never know who they will be and where they came from,” said Ms Umwagarwa.

Challenges

Despite a growing interest in writing stories, there are challenges that hinder the relatively young publishing industry and aspiring authors.

Many publishers are still nascent and cannot help those who want to tell their stories through books.

“We do not have well established publishing industry that is able to identify a good manuscript, pay a good advance to the author, and ensure quality editing, design, and marketing of the book,” said Ms Umwagarwa.

A recently released book titled Not My Time to Die by Yolande Mukagasana, a nurse, narrates her ordeal during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and was published in Rwanda. Her story was translated from French into English and the author is one of first Rwandans to write about the Genocide in 1997.

Some authors said they write about their stories as a form of therapy about what they went through.

Other acclaimed authors have been supported by established publishers from developed countries mainly in Europe to release their books.

Despite the challenges, some of books written by Rwandan authors have won international awards such as Small Country by Gael Faye, a Rwandan-French poet and rapper; and Our Lady of Nile by Scholastique Mukasonga, a genocide survivor.

Speaking at the launch of Moi, le dernier Tutsis, Jean-Damascene Bizimana, the executive secretary of National Commission For The Fight Against Genocide encouraged Rwandans to write their stories because there is still a need for books about the country’s history and the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

“Charles has shown us that the youth can and must write, that’s the message I would give to survivors,” said Dr Bizimana calling on young and adult survivors to write about their histories.