The three narrative sections of this exhibition outline Rwandan history before the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi; the events of the genocide itself, and Rwanda’s journey of post-genocide justice, reconciliation and renewal. A central reflective space contains sculptures inspired by different aspects of the genocide experience. There are also spaces containing artefacts and photographs of some of the genocide’s many victims. Eyewitness testimony on video is included at various points.

In 1933, Polish Jewish lawyer Raphael Lemkin urged the League of Nations to recognize mass atrocities as an international crime. He cited mass killings of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire during World War I and other events in history. He was ignored. In 1943, he created a new word for such mass murder: genocide. This exhibition unpacks instances of genocide and mass atrocities before and after the UN defined it as a crime.

‘Tomorrow Lost’ features large photographs of children later murdered in the genocide, and in a few words, introduces us to each of them as individuals. We get to learn things like their favourite food, their favourite toy, and what they liked to do. Their last words. And how they died. Simple and devastating, it ends with the hopes of young Rwandans today for a future free of genocide.

New exhibition content on the first floor sets the Kigali Genocide Memorial in the context of its own history and impact, both as the starting-point for development of peace and values education now built into Rwanda’s national schools curriculum, and as a site from which international change-makers are learning. New content also looks at pressures which may drive future atrocities internationally, and how these can be mitigated or averted.

After the Genocide against the Tutsi was stopped by the Rwandan Patriotic Front in 1994, Kigali’s authorities chose this hillside in Gisozi for mass graves where the city’s 250,000 residents murdered during the genocide could have their final resting-place. Their presence sets the context for everything else which happens here, because remembrance is the starting-point for healing, learning and the prevention of genocide in the future.

The Wall of Names commemorates victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. It remains a work in progress. Many of the victims’ names have yet to be gathered and documented. Today the Genocide Archive of Rwanda, based at the Kigali Genocide Memorial, uses audiovisual techniques to record and preserve testimonies, and to document the names and lives of genocide victims.
Find out more about the Archive and its work here.

The memorial gardens provide a place for quiet contemplation. They include the Gardens of Unity, Division & Reconciliation; the Rose Gardens; the Garden of Self Protection; the Provinces of Rwanda Garden; the Flower of Life Garden, and the Forest of Memory. Roses in the gardens have been dedicated by people who lost loved ones in the genocide. For them it is a place of personal remembrance.

The Flame of Remembrance has been a feature of the Kigali Genocide Memorial since it was inaugurated in 2004. The flame is lit on the 7th of April each year, and burns for the 100 days of genocide commemoration from April to July. It symbolises the resilience of Rwandans leaving behind the darkness of genocide to build a brighter future together.

Designed by John McAslan + Partners the 1200 capacity amphitheatre opened in 2014, made possible by governmental support from the UK, the Netherlands, Japan and the Republic of Korea. It hosts commemorations, workshops, dance, music, theatre, film, temporary exhibitions and other cultural events. It has a long-standing relationship with the annual Ubumuntu Arts Festival (see ubumuntuartsfestival.com). To enquire about booking the amphitheatre, email team@kgm.rw or call +250 788 303 098.

Through the Kigali Community Peace Centre (sometimes referred to as the Peace School) at the Kigali Genocide Memorial, as well as centres in other communities around the country, every year, thousands of Rwandans including teachers, students, parents and decision makers are trained on Peace and Values Education to help them build sustainable peace. The Community Peace Centre is located below the Kigali Genocide Memorial’s main car park, above the amphitheatre.

Established by the Aegis Trust at the Kigali Genocide Memorial, the Genocide Archive of Rwanda is dedicated to documentation of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. It has a repository for physical artefacts, and a website featuring an interactive online digital archive. The site includes video testimonies from eyewitnesses, archival photographs, colonial documents, identification records, maps and propaganda publications.
Visit the Genocide Archive of Rwanda online to learn more.

The Museum Cafe is the ideal place to take in what you have seen during a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial. Stop and reflect over a delicious coffee or meal, alone or with friends. The income generated from this social enterprise helps to support all aspects of the Memorial’s work. It also supports peace and values education conducted by the Aegis Trust, both on site and off site.

Purchase books and unique mementos in the Kigali Genocide Memorial’s Gift Shop before you leave. The shop offers an excellent selection of books about Rwanda’s recent history. It also includes high quality ‘Imigongo’ – traditional Rwandan wall art – and jewellery featuring the ‘Ubumuntu’ symbol; a celebration and expression of the wearer’s commitment to champion humanity. The income generated from this social enterprise helps to support all aspects of the Memorial’s work.

If you are coming to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, why not plan your visit to coincide with a special event here? Explore our events calendar to find out what’s coming up. One of the highlights of our calendar each year is the Ubumuntu Arts Festival. Held at the Kigali Genocide Memorial’s Amphitheatre, it showcases performance art created to address some of the biggest challenges facing humanity.