Patience Uwiringiyimana, a 35-year-old Rwandan artist, has made a name for himself in the entertainment industry with his unique puppeteering skills. His alter ego, Papa Gorizo, has captured the hearts of many with his satirical conversations with Gorizo, a young gorilla, on societal issues like trends, dating, and life. Uwiringiyimana's performance at the Caravane du rire festival was a grand return to the mainstream stage space, marking a significant milestone in his career.
Uwiringiyimana's journey in puppeteering began in 2017 when he traveled to Serbia and met Paul Zerdin, a renowned British Comedian and Ventriloquist. Zerdin, the 2015 America Has Got Talent Winner, guided Uwiringiyimana in developing his skills, which he continued to hone through online training. Upon returning to Rwanda, Uwiringiyimana gradually developed his craft, eventually creating his signature character, Gorizo, a gorilla puppet.
Initially, Uwiringiyimana received snake and lion puppets, but he preferred introducing a gorilla first, as it is a creature Rwandans are more familiar with. He named his puppet Gorizo, inspired by the gorilla, which resonated with his stage act. As an active broadcast media personnel, Uwiringiyimana acquired a slot on Isango TV, a local television station, which gave his craft significant viewership.
Uwiringiyimana's career took a break in July 2019 when he got a job opportunity with an organization in Kigali. However, with the Covid-19 outbreak, he observed the impact on the entertainment industry and wondered how to revive his career. When his contract ended in August 2020, he made a comeback, resorting to virtual means to reach his audience.
Uwiringiyimana's return to the stage was marked by the creation of a YouTube channel, which gained over two thousand subscribers within two months. This was a testament to his enduring appeal to his audience. His hope for the revival of live stage performances was reignited in December when he was commissioned for a campaign tour in schools with the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion.
The puppeteer believes that his craft has the potential to captivate audiences, especially the youth and children. His performance at the Caravane du rire festival demonstrated the power of puppeteering in entertaining and educating audiences. With Gorizo, Uwiringiyimana aims to continue pushing the boundaries of this art form in Rwanda.
As Uwiringiyimana continues to make waves in the entertainment industry, his story serves as an inspiration to aspiring artists. His perseverance and dedication to his craft have paid off, and he looks forward to exploring new opportunities in the world of puppeteering. With his unique blend of satire and entertainment, Uwiringiyimana is set to leave a lasting impact on Rwandan audiences.
Key points
- Patience Uwiringiyimana's puppeteering career was influenced by Paul Zerdin, a British Comedian and Ventriloquist.
- Uwiringiyimana's puppet show features Gorizo, a young gorilla, and explores societal issues like trends, dating, and life.
- The puppeteer's comeback to the stage was marked by a YouTube channel and a campaign tour in schools with the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion.
