Organizers of competitions for talented poets, Trans Poesis, have unveiled a plan of supporting the advancement of Rwanda’s poetry, taking it to a higher level.

Tuyisenge Olivier, one of organizers of the competition said that they were motivated to do so after realizing how poetry in Rwanda is fading over time while the few existing poets never progress yet poetry is part of Rwanda’s rich heritage.

“Poetry and other artistic expressions are most of the time needed to entertain and teach. We have developed the idea so that people with such a talent may progress and get their talent valued to the extent that a person can listen to poetry as he/she do to music ,” he said.

Tuyisenge explained that they will award three talented poets among 12 contestants.

He said that they have been carrying out mobilization to encourage people to participate in the competition.The organizers have selected 12 among 49 contenders who will participate in the finals.The three poets will be awarded on 29th October 2016 at Café Neo in Kiyovu at 6:00 pm.

Tuyisenge has called on people with talent in poetry to use it as it holds a significant position in Rwanda’s culture.

Poetry in Rwanda was popularized by Queen Nyiraruganzu Nyirarumaga who lived during the reign of King Ruganzu Ndoli around 1510.

In the past, Rwanda’s poets were considered great people and philosophers, and custodians of kingdom secrets.

Trans Poesis is a group of three people including Tuyisenge Olivier, Kayitare Mustafa and Dr. Andrea Grieder from Switzerland who have committed to promote poetry in Rwanda.