Rwanda and France Unveil Paris Memorial Honoring Genocide Victims
In a historic moment on June 2, Presidents Paul Kagame and Emmanuel Macron unveiled the first permanent memorial for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Paris. Located on the bustling Habib-Bourguiba Esplanade near the Eiffel Tower, the monument ensures the memory of over one million victims remains visible to a global audience.
Designed by renowned artist Grada Kilomba, the minimalist artwork features two black brass monoliths standing on a lava-stone platform, which evokes a fragment of Rwandan soil in the heart of France. The space between the steles symbolizes the profound absence of those lost while inviting reflection.
Inscribed in French, English, Kinyarwanda, and Swahili, the monument also features the names of four UNESCO-listed memorial sites in Rwanda, including Gisozi and Murambi.
"This is an important milestone in preserving memory and educating future generations," said Marcel Kabanda, President of Ibuka France.
Now entered into the French National Heritage Register, this protected monument marks a deeply symbolic step forward in Rwanda-France relations, honoring resilience and collective remembrance 32 years after the tragedy.
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