The third module of TheMuseumsLab 2026 opened at the Museum of Art in Kigali on September 21, 2026, under the theme "Building Futures from Memory: Museums and Memorial Sites as Agents." This program brings together 50 fellows from 31 African and European countries for exchanges, workshops, site visits, and discussions on the changing role of museums and heritage institutions. The event is co-curated by the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin in partnership with African countries and supported by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).
Meryem Korum, the Head of TheMuseumsLab and Team Lead, emphasized that the purpose of the program is not only to preserve memories or exchange professional experiences but also to learn from one another. The program deliberately creates space for museum professionals to confront difficult questions about history, heritage, and the future. Korum highlighted that Rwanda, with its complex history, offers a unique opportunity for participants to explore these themes.
Prof. Dr. Facil Tesfaye, the Chair of TheMuseumsLab's International Academic Committee, noted that preserving memory can reveal historical knowledge that might otherwise be misunderstood. Tesfaye cited his research into the rinderpest epidemic that swept across Africa in the 1890s, which devastated cattle populations in Rwanda and other heavily pastoralist societies. He believes that understanding historical events can change the way societies comprehend the forces that later shaped them.
The program examines various issues, including colonial collections, restitution, leadership, and the future management of museums. It describes memory as a dynamic force that can influence how societies act in the present and imagine what comes next. Tesfaye also hopes that the Kigali module will allow international participants to encounter a Rwanda beyond its tragic history, showcasing the country's transformation and new identity.
Amb. Robert Masozera, the Director General of the Rwanda Cultural Heritage Academy, stated that hosting the program is an opportunity to share Rwanda's experience, open its institutions and heritage to an international audience, and learn from others. He described TheMuseumsLab as a continuing conversation rather than a series of disconnected events, with Rwanda now becoming another space for participants to question, exchange, and learn.
Dr. Genius Tevera, a Zimbabwean fellow and lecturer at Great Zimbabwe University, reflected on Rwanda's transformation, finding it impressive given the country's history. The program may not provide all the answers, but it can create connections and questions that continue after the fellows return to their institutions. The larger challenge goes beyond what participants see during their six days in Rwanda, as the most important role of the museum in the future may be creating spaces where memory can be questioned, understood, and used to imagine what the future holds.
The Rwanda Cultural Heritage Academy (RCHA) plays a central role in shaping the Kigali module, which offers international participants an opportunity to engage with Rwanda's complex history and its efforts to build a new identity. The program's impact may be seen in the connections and questions it generates, influencing how societies think about their future and the role of museums and memorial sites in shaping that future.
Key points
- Museum and heritage professionals from Africa and Europe gather in Kigali to explore the role of memories in shaping societies' futures.
- The program examines issues including colonial collections, restitution, leadership, and the future management of museums.
- The event aims to create connections and questions that continue after the fellows return to their institutions, influencing how societies think about their future.
