Last night, Rwanda’s First Lady, Mrs. Jeannette Kagame, attended the theatrical and musical performance “A Song of Good and Evil” at the Kigali Genocide Memorial. The performance, an adaptation of Philippe Sands’ novel East West Street: On the Origins of Genocide and Crimes Against Humanity, is a thought-provoking reflection on the origins and implications of terms like “genocide” and “crimes against humanity,” which emerged during the Nuremberg Trials.
Through this adaptation, the play resonates deeply with Rwanda’s own tragic history, highlighting the power of remembrance and the duty to remain vigilant in confronting humanity’s darkest chapters.
East West Street, and its adaptation in A Song of Good and Evil, draws from the harrowing experiences of its author’s family, exploring the historical roots of these legal terms that transformed international law after World War II.
By performing the adaptation at the Kigali Genocide Memorial—a site dedicated to honoring the lives lost in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi—the artists and organizers honored the Rwandan spirit of resilience and reinforced the global commitment to “Never Again.”
The First Lady expressed gratitude to the performers and organizers for their impactful work as both powerful and inspiring. She appreciated the importance of the arts in keeping historical memory alive, and in fostering empathy and understanding.
The evening brought together artists, historians, and diplomats, creating a shared space for reflection on justice, memory, and humanity. The play’s haunting music and compelling storytelling captivated the audience, connecting the past with the present in a way that urged each attendee to contemplate their role in promoting peace and justice.
Performances like A Song of Good and Evil are part of a broader cultural movement in Rwanda that uses art to preserve memory and foster healing. For a nation still recovering from the devastating 1994 Genocide, these works represent powerful tools in teaching future generations about the horrors of hatred and the resilience of humanity.
