Raising awareness of survivors of the Rwandan genocide 15 years on

Origin of the Reading of the Testimonies

The Reading of the Testimonies is modelled on the concept of the «Reading of the Names» — an event staged each year across communities worldwide to remember the victims of the Holocaust. To mark the 10th Anniversary of the Rwandan genocide in 2004, and to raise awareness of the situation of survivors in Rwanda, Survivors Fund (SURF), an international NGO representing and supporting Rwandan survivors, staged a Reading of the Testimonies in Trafalgar Square, London. In 2008, the event was successfully replicated in Washington Square Park, New York, with the support of several partner organisations including Foundation Rwanda.

When are events held?

When are events held? We will stage the Reading of the Testimonies 2009 from Sunday 5 to Tuesday 7 April to mark the 15th Anniversary of the start of the genocide, with events currently in planning across the world. However, readings can take place at different dates; for example, in London the event was staged on 16th of July — to mark the anniversary of the end of the 100 day genocide. In New York, the event was staged on 6th of April — to mark the anniversary of the start of the genocide, as well as to mark the UN International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide in Rwanda.

Who participates?

In London, women of all ages from across the UK — from politicians to cleaners — read testimonies of women survivors of the genocide. In New York, students from across the schools in the city read the testimonies of young survivors of the genocide. The event can be themed in this way, or can be open to anyone and everyone with an interest to participate. The most important factor is that there is a willingness to engage with the testimony — and to present the reading with dignity and respect.

How many testimonies are read?

The duration of the event can be adapted accordingly. In London, the event was an all-day reading (from 8am to 6pm), in New York a lunchtime reading (from 10am to 2pm). On average, about 20 testimonies can be read each hour. You may want to intersperse the readings with addresses by relevant individuals (including Rwandan survivors, possibly Holocaust survivors stressing the importance or remembrance, activists impressing the importance of action etc.)

Where to stage the event?

The event can be staged anywhere. In London, the event was staged in Trafalgar Square — a high visibility public space — purposefully to maximise exposure of the commemoration. Many people passed through the Square, knowing little or nothing about the plight of survivors, and stayed just long enough to listen to one testimony. Others came intentionally and stayed for an hour or two — and brought friends along with them, to support them if they were reading. In Washington Square Park in New York, the same rationale was used — to take the commemoration to a maximum number of people — as many students pass through the square each day. However, readings can just as well be held in indoor venues, or as part of another planned event to remember the genocide, for example you may be holding a film screening as part of the commemoration — at which you could then include a reading of testimonies. It is important though to plan in advance, particularly if an outdoor public space is to be used, as often permits have to be secured months in advance.

What can be achieved?

The event can be aligned with a campaign, as was the case with the Reading of the Testimonies in London. It was used to raise awareness of the plight of women survivors raped and infected with HIV and AIDS during the genocide, and to call on the British Government to support antiretroviral treatment for this demographic — by demonstrating public support for the campaign. .A petition was collected at the event, which was then presented to the Prime Minister — which helped to secure funding for a program in Rwanda to support 2,500 HIV+ women survivors with treatment.

What do I need to stage an event?

It depends on the scale of the event that you are planning. For a large public event, then it is important to consider a team that might include individuals responsible for the following tasks:

Co-ordination – responsible for financial management and ultimately directing the event team
Production – coordinating the staging, production schedule, and order of readings, for the day
Press and publicity – soliciting interest from relevant media, and promoting the event
Technical support – sourcing and overseeing technical equipment (PA, speaker) for the day
Reader liaison – recruiting, coordinating and managing readers before and on the day
Volunteer leader – recruiting, coordinating and managing volunteers before and on the day

Can I get a sense of the events in London and New York?

For an overview of the New York event

For an overview of the London event

I am interested in organising an event. What should I do next?

Please email readingofthetestimonies@gmail.com to express your interest, with Reading of the Testimonies in the subject line, and we will then contact you with further details and a toolkit with all the necessary information that you will need to organise an event; including a spreadsheet to register readers, issues to consider, draft press releases and the testimonies