Stewart (left) and Jean Paul Samputu. Net photo
When singer and songwriter Iain Stewart met Rwandan musician Jean Paul Samputu at a Holocaust memorial event, he talked to the singer about his song Window of Peace which is about the Holocaust. Samputu could relate to the song because he comes from a country with a gruesome past. From this interaction the two decided to do a collabo–Rwandan Dream – a song about Rwanda’s dark past and the hope for a brighter future. Susan Babijja talked to Stewartabout this joint effort.
What is your kind of music?
My songs always contain a universal message of peace and hope to the public.
Tell us about Rwandan Dream.
The song is about maintaining peace and harmony between people. I decided to record it around this period as Rwanda commemorates 20 years after the Genocide against the Tutsi because I believe that Rwandans need a message of hope and courage to face the future.
What inspired you to record a song with Samputu?
I met Jean Paul Samputu at a Holocaust memorial event in Edinburgh, Broughton High School, where he was the main speaker. Samputu and I share some strong beliefs; like believing that peace can transform our world, the power of forgiveness, the ability of music to change the world and a deep love for Rwanda. It is from these common traits that we eventually came up with theRwandan Dream.
What is Rwandan Dream about?
It is a song that talks about one’s woman’s experience losing a son in the Genocide and a cry to create a better tomorrow for our children. At the Holocaust memorial event I showed him the lyrics. After speaking out at Holocaust memorial event, I showed Samputu a song I had written and he shed tears. That is when he asked me to record a song with him and we did that in last year.
What does it mean to you?
The verses summarise the Rwandan Dream. Rwanda has come so far since the Genocide in such a relatively short time. I was struck by the optimism and warmth of the people when I visited Rwanda for the first time in September last year.
It’s our prayer that Rwanda will learn from lessons of its past and continue to work hard to create a peaceful and harmonious society where everyone lives happily together, where difference of colour or belief are disregarded and we learn to respect and love one another as fellow human beings.
Do you have any message for Rwandans?
However much the Rwandan Dream was specifically made for Rwanda, the message is universal. Rwanda has much to offer the world. It has led the way in showing how a country can recover from a tragic past, no matter how difficult it has been. It shows that by choosing a path of love and forgiveness; there is always hope.
What next?
We need help to promote the song to a wider audience. These songs are there to help the healing process of Rwanda. This album is a real collaboration with African artists and with different styles of music.
Lastly, I believe we have a great album with some very special songs. We were asked to perform the first song we recorded, Window of Peace, at the closing ceremony of the Nelson Mandela memorial event in the Scottish Parliament. Rwandan Dream is currently playing in Scotland and has just hit the top spot on the Scotland music charts and it is gaining massive momentum in Rwanda on radio stations and televisions.
SOURCE: NEW TIMES NEWSPAPER
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