Hewa Rwanda – Letter to the absent is a poignant and moving celebration of the author Dorcy Rugamba’s family who were murdered on the first day of the Rwandan genocide in 1994. “It only took 45 minutes” he says.
The Adelaide Festival production is the first full performance of it in English. The book was originally written by Dorcy Rugamba in French with the title Hewa Rwanda – Lettre aux absents. Prior to its Adelaide Festival season, Hewa Rwanda – Letter to the absent had only had a work-in-progress reading of the translated text in Portland in the USA.
Unlike Rugamba’s other works, such as the 6 hour production Rwanda 94, this doesn’t speak only of the genocide. Rather, the main focus of it is on the family members he lost, and his childhood memories and last interactions with them. It is a way of ensuring their memory lives on, even though they didn’t get to. It’s not a commemoration but rather a “hymn to life” as Rugamba himself describes it.
While the subject matter of slaughter by genocide could be extremely depressing, or confronting, in Rugamba’s hands, he has turned this into a show about his love for and memories of his family. Of course, there are many moments of sadness knowing that their lives were brutally cut short, but there are also many more moments of tenderness.
Hewa Rwanda – Letter to the absent is a show about trying to comprehend losing almost the entirety of your family, memories of them, and also trying to find a way forward. It is incomprehensible to most of us to live through something like this and to be able to carve a path forward. As Rugamba himself says “what we’re trying translate into words is out of reach”. “Words mean nothing in themselves”.
A black and white photo of Rugamba’s family is projected onto the back of the stage. As he begins to talk about them, rather than just what happened to them, the photo turns to colour, as if talking about them is giving them life. Rather than his family being just numbers among the million killed in the 100 day genocide in 1994, Rugamba seeks to give them back their identities. The dead cannot simply be reduced to a number.
Rugamba speaks of his childhood memories with some amusing anecdotes along the way – his mother, Daphrose, would become annoyed that he would call his uncle Pancreas instead of Pancras because he couldn’t say it. Rugamba’s words are poignant poetry. The way he describes his family, his memories, places is so vivid, you can easily imagine it.
Rugamba’s father Cyprien was, among other creative pursuits, a writer, including of poetry. His Dad wrote a poem 12 years before the genocide telling of blood across the country from the north to the south. Of it, Dorcy Rugamba says: “Dad wrote it, said it, and yet he still watched it”. It was his father who introduced Dorcy to the performing arts at a young age, including traditional Rwandan dance, Intore. Quite possibly in continuing his work in the performing arts, Dorcy Rugamba is, in a way, carrying on his father’s legacy.
He speaks of the church and the hold it took over his family, with his family becoming Catholic, of seeing his father on his knees, a subject. Rugamba talks of regret, and the pain at not having the chance to do the only thing that his mother had ever asked of him, something he was planning to talk to them about on the very day that they were killed.
While Rugamba speaks, musician Majnun strums his guitar and occasionally sings. Sometimes he translates for the audience poetry that Rugamba has recited. With this collaboration, the performance became so much more than the reading of an extract from a book.
In speaking about trying to heal after losing his family, Rugamba says: “Some blows you do not recover from… Some blows are impossible to give back.” Yet, Rugamba seems to have found a way to recover, even partially, through his writing and performing works such as these. Introspection and time have allowed him to find a way to heal.
Dorcy Rugamba and Majnun’s performance of Hewa Rwanda – Letter to the absent is poignant and moving and one which will stay with you long after you leave. With genocides and senseless murders still occurring around the world, this isn’t just the story of loss from 30 years ago, it’s the story of millions of others worldwide.
By weaving together poetry, music, and personal narrative, Rugamba transforms a story of loss into a vibrant celebration of life and memory. His performance is a testament to the enduring power of love and culture, reminding us that even in the face of unimaginable tragedy, the essence of those who are absent can continue to inspire and nourish us. Through this powerful work, Rugamba not only celebrates his family but also invites us to reflect on the beauty and richness that survive beyond biological existence, leaving a lasting impact on all who experience it.
5 CROISSANTS
Matilda Marseillaise was a guest of Adelaide Festival
KEY INFO FOR HEWA RWANDA – LETTER TO THE ABSENT
WHAT: Hewa Rwanda – Letter to the absent
WHEN: At Adelaide Festival, there remains only one performance of Hewa Rwanda – Letter to the absent tonight, Thursday 6 March at 8pm.
However, if you are attending WOMADelaide, you can also see the performance there, at 7:30pm Saturday 8 March, 7pm Sunday 9 March and 7pm on Monday 10 March.
HOW: Purchase your tickets for tonight via this link
Purchase your tickets for WOMADelaide here
Musician Majnun will also be at the Festival Club on Festival Plaza tonight at 10:30pm – entry is free.
Read about other acts from France and the Francophonie who will be at WOMADelaide here.
