Rwandan music legend Bruce Melodie headlines music lineup alongside international artists Nomcebo, Benjamin Dube, Soraia Ramos and many more…

Rwandan creativity and the country’s flourishing creative economy will be under the spotlight at the Trace Festival (Kigali Convention & Exhibition Village, 20-22 October 2023).

The Trace Festival highlights Rwandan talent in a 3-day celebration of creativity in music, entertainment, fashion, food, design, photography, arts & crafts, hair and beauty, home decor and much, much more. The Trace Festival is produced by global music and entertainment tastemakers, Trace, and presented by Visit Rwanda and Martell. 

Rwanda’s vibrant music industry and musicians get their chance to shine at the Festival, with featured performances from a lineup of talented artists who are making waves on the local music scene. Don’t miss the opportunity to witness the incredible artistry of Bruce Melodie alongside Sema Sole, Kivumbi King, Angell Mutoni, Boy Chopper, Mike Kayihura and Tsonpa as they offer festival-goers a glimpse into the rich and diverse musical landscape of Rwanda. Gospel-lovers will thrill to the sounds of “Trace Gospel Sunday” (14H00-16H00, 22 October) – an uplifting gospel concert starring the world-famous Soweto Gospel Choir, Kenya’s Janet Otieno, Uganda’s Levixone, and South Africa’s Benjamin Dube, not to mention special guest, Trace Awards nominee and “Jerusalema” singer, Nomcebo. 

Also on hand to show their moves to Kigali fans are Trace Awards nominees from around the world including Roselyne Layo, Gerilson Insrael, Soraia Ramos, Lisandro Cuxi, Azawi, Donovan BTS, Gaei, MIKL, Goulam and DJ Illans.   

The Trace Festival has something for everyone, including a marketplace showcasing Rwandan brands, inspiring talks & workshop sessions, a live entertainment stage, food court, Martell bars, a live screening of the Trace Awards, and an interactive kidzone where mum and dad can leave the children in safe hands.  Packed with Rwandan creativity and flair, the marketplace has been curated by a handpicked group of Rwandan creators and entrepreneurs. Showcasing the best in Rwandan creativity are Pierra Ntayombya of Haute Baso, the Rwandan ethical lifestyle brand for the modern individual looking for thoughtful, simple and functional designs. Fashion entrepreneur Aude Bisserbe of Asantii, the sustainable made-in-Rwanda womenswear brand that celebrates African heritage will be heading up the fashion portion of the event.  

Comments Esther Muhoro, Marketing Director, Pernod Ricard East Africa, “Martell’s partnership with the Trace Festival speaks to the strong affinity the brand enjoys with music; a testament of the Cognac house’s legacy to pop-culture and reinvention with music creators.”

Throughout the festival, attendees will be able to enjoy DJ sets from top local and international DJs, while festival-goers will also have the chance to watch the live screening of the Trace Awards with artists such as Davido, Yemi Alade, Ronisia, Blxckie and Bruce Melodie from 18H00-23H30 on Saturday 21 October. 

Many interactive elements at the festival will encourage visitors to watch, listen & learn via audiovisual experiences, screenings, inspiring masterclasses, talks and workshops led by creative industry leaders, entrepreneurs and music industry experts such as Empire, SACEM and 1:55 AM. Visitors will also experience Martell and Belaire spaces and will enjoy beautiful tastes to match the sounds.

The Trace Festival opens at 16H00 on Friday 20 October and continues until 20H00 on Sunday 22 October.  Tickets for the Trace Festival will be available from TiCQet from Friday 29 September 2023 priced 12,000 RWF per day (or 20,000 RWF for a 3-day ticket). Early bird discounts and student discounts apply. Entry is free for children under 6.  To buy tickets for the Trace Festival, please go to www.ticqet.rw.

Rwandan creativity and excellence are further represented by the involvement of BK Arena, MTN, Visit Rwanda, Pernod Ricard, University of Rwanda, Africa & Colors, RwandAir and RBA as partners to the Trace Awards & Festival. 

For more information about the Trace Festival, go to www.trace.plus/awards, follow Trace on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube or TikTok. To join the conversation about the Trace Festival please use the hashtag #TraceAwardsandFestival.

ENDS

Further information, please contact:

Julius Mbaraga

+250788483485

jmbaraga@inspire.co.rw 

About Trace

Launched in 2003, Trace is the first multimedia and digital platform solely devoted to Afro-Urban music and cultures, as well as to the success of young people and artists. Trace’s mission is to “Entertain and Empower Our People”. Trace reaches more than 350 million fans in 180 countries.  More on https://trace.company/

About Visit Rwanda

Rwanda is the tourism-focused arm of the Rwanda Development Board, a government body responsible for fast-tracking Rwanda’s economic development by enabling private sector growth. Visit Rwanda works with local conservation, tourism, and development partners to create and sustain tourism products that benefit inbound tourists and local communities and wildlife ecosystems. For more information on Visit Rwanda, visit www.visitrwanda.com, or find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

About Pernod Ricard

Pernod Ricard is the No.2 worldwide producer of wines and spirits. The Group, which owns 17 of the Top 100 Spirits Brands, holds one of the most prestigious and comprehensive portfolios in the industry with over 240 premium brands distributed across more than 160 markets. Pernod Ricard’s portfolio includes Absolut Vodka, Ricard pastis, Ballantine’s, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute, and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish whiskey, Martell cognac, Havana Club rum, Beefeater gin, Malibu liqueur or Luc Belaire, G.H. Mumm and Perrier-Jouët champagnes. The Group’s mission is to unlock the magic of human connections by bringing “Good Times from a Good Place”, in line with its Sustainability and Responsibility roadmap.

About Maison Martell

The oldest of the great cognac houses, founded by Jean Martell in 1715, Maison Martell is renowned throughout the world for the finesse and elegance of its cognacs, the result of a legacy of savoir-faire handed down through nine generations. Together with a passion for its craft and a profound attachment to the terroir, Maison Martell is defined by the audacity with which it has challenged convention to create new expressions of cognac, including Martell Blue Swift, a VSOP Cognac aged in bourbon casks. The free spirit of the House is symbolised by its historic emblem: the swift. For more information on Martell, visit www.martell.com.

About Luc Belaire

Luc Belaire is a premium brand produced in France – the hallmark of quality in the world of fine wines. Our 5th and 6th generation father-and-son winemakers oversee the production of each bottle of Luc Belaire at their Maison in Montagny-les-Beaune, established in 1898. Luc Belaire celebrates France’s place as the originator of fine sparkling wine, combining grapes of rare quality with the craftsmanship that can only be found at a family-operated winery like ours. For more information on Luc Belaire, visit www.lucbelaire.sovereignbrands.com.

About RwandAir

Operating from Kigali, RwandAir is the national airline of Rwanda, with a fleet of modern aircraft, and serves 25 destinations across Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia. The airline has a reputation for delivering a premium service to all its customers, while also promoting Rwanda’s tourism and trade industries.  RwandAir has received numerous awards for its service, including the “Best Airline Staff in Africa” award at the Skytrax World Airline Awards.