Dreams In Dialogue: Harnessing Art Therapy for Mental Health and Peacebuilding in Rwanda

An Initiative of Fred Mfuranzima 

In Kigali, Rwanda’s vibrant capital, a unique initiative is unfolding at the intersection of creativity and healing. Dreams In Dialogue, a monthly poetry and art therapy event held at Igitego Hotel, offers a powerful platform for collective expression, emotional restoration, and community dialogue. Spearheaded by Fred Mfuranzima—a Rwandan poet, author, artist, and activist born in 1997—the program is part of his broader movement, the Fred Mfuranzima Xperience, which uses art to address deep-rooted trauma, foster peace, and support mental well-being.

Art Therapy as a Response to Mental Health Challenges

In recent years, growing attention has been drawn to rising cases of depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders within Rwanda, particularly among young people and communities still affected by the legacy of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Fred Mfuranzima, through both research and practice, has positioned art therapy as a culturally resonant and accessible method to address these issues.

“Rwandans often carry unspoken pain—trauma passed down through generations. Many are suffering from wounds they cannot name,” Fred explains. “Art offers a language when words fall short. It allows people to confront, process, and transform what they carry inside.”

Fred’s approach combines creative expression with therapeutic intention, integrating poetry, storytelling, music, painting, and open dialogue. His initiative, Dreams In Dialogue, functions as a safe, structured space where participants can reflect on their personal experiences, engage with others, and rebuild emotional resilience.

A Monthly Event with a Therapeutic Purpose

Held every month at Igitego Hotel, Dreams In Dialogue is free and open to the public, to ensure an intimate and supportive environment. Each session includes artistic performances, guided discussions on emotional themes, and opportunities for individual storytelling.

The upcoming edition, scheduled for May 10, 2025, at 8:00 p.m., will feature a distinguished lineup of performers:

1 Key Ziki, Esther Muhozi Hadassah, Vivian Ofre, Bernice Shami, Inkomarume, Benimana Domi, Diana Gray, Teta Kevin and others.

In addition to the performances, the evening will feature an Open Dialogue on the Transmission of Trauma, addressing how emotional wounds persist across generations in Rwanda. This will be followed by an Open Mic session, where community members are invited to share poetry, music, or personal reflections.

Bridging Generations Through Shared Experience

Dreams In Dialogue not only as Poetry Show, using different forms of art has emerged not only as a cultural gathering but also as a form of community-based therapy. Participants include genocide survivors, descendants of both victims and perpetrators, teenage mothers, youth affected by conflict, and others navigating complex emotional landscapes.

“This platform creates a neutral ground where people speak from the heart, not from history,” Fred notes. “Through artistic expression, we build empathy, repair broken narratives, and open new channels of trust.”

Each session serves as both an intervention and a contribution to Fred’s broader research on collective trauma and the use of art in mental health support. He plans to publish a book within the next two years documenting the outcomes, stories, and methodologies of this work.

The Artist as a Healer and Visionary

Fred Mfuranzima’s work is grounded in the belief that artists have a vital role in national healing and cultural restoration.

“In our post-genocide society, the artist must be more than a performer or painter. We must be healers, listeners, and storytellers of truth,” he says. “The Rwanda I envision is one where our pain is not hidden, but heard—and where art becomes a mirror and a medicine.”

Through initiatives like Dreams In Dialogue, Fred is contributing meaningfully to Rwanda’s ongoing journey of mental health advocacy, peacebuilding, and cultural renewal.

Event Details – Dreams In Dialogue Poetry Show

Date: May 10, 2025

Time: 8:00 p.m.

Venue: Igitego Hotel, Kigali

Entry: Free (100 seats available)

Program: Featured performances, Open Dialogue on Transmission of Trauma, Open Mic

For registration go to Eventbrite.com and updates, follow 

@Fred_Mfuranzima on Instagram 

@dreamsindialogue on X mentioned individuals or institutions above.