Rwanda has made history in Seoul as a professional Gakondo troupe arrived this week for its first-ever performance in South Korea, completing a 10,750-kilometer journey from Kigali.

The troupe will headline Afro Vibes: Heat Seoul on Saturday night at SFactory D in Seongsu, bringing Rwanda’s traditional drumming, dance, and storytelling to Korean audiences in an unprecedented national debut.

The visit is part of a week-long cultural program sponsored by the Korea Africa Foundation (KAF), an organization under South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs dedicated to strengthening ties between Korea and the African continent.

Rwanda was selected to represent Africa for this year’s festivities, marking a significant moment in cultural diplomacy.

Organizers say the performance will deliver “the heartbeat of Rwanda,” featuring high-energy choreography, ancestral rhythms, and immersive cultural artistry.

Rwanda’s Ambassador to South Korea, Nkubito Bakuramutsa, said the debut symbolizes more than a cultural milestone.

“Today’s performance marks more than a cultural showcase; it is a meeting of two nations whose histories reflect profound resilience and renewal,” he said. “Rwanda and Korea both carry stories of overcoming adversity, rebuilding with dignity, and shaping a hopeful future.”

He added that the Gakondo performance offers Koreans a chance to discover Rwanda—its people, its culture, and its beauty. “We hope this artistic exchange becomes a bridge for deeper friendship, understanding, and many future visits to Rwanda.”

The festival is expected to draw a diverse audience from Seoul’s cultural and expatriate communities, setting the stage for deeper Rwanda–Korea engagement and broader Africa–Korea cultural collaboration.