Choral de Kigali at a past event. The Christmas Carols concert has been called off.
The much-anticipated concerts of Chorale de Kigali and singer Clarisse Karasira have been called off following decisions by the cabinet to suspend events and other activities bringing people together as the country tightens measures against COVID-19.
Chorale de Kigali had set December 19 as the date for its annual Christmas carols concert which was expected to take place at Kigali Arena, as part of the end of year activities which were planned at the Remera-based ultra-modern facility.
“Based on the decisions of the Cabinet on COVID-19 preventive measures, the manner in which we had planned to do our concert with our fans is no longer possible,”
“We are looking at ways of how what we had planned can be presented to our fans. Those who had bought tickets will be refunded as soon as possible,” the St. Michel Cathedral-based music ensemble tweeted on Tuesday evening.
The 120-member choir, established 53 years ago, is known for its annual Christmas carols concert which brings together devout Christians from all walks of life, setting the festive mood.
Meanwhile, traditional ‘Gakondo’ style singer Clarisse Karasira has also called off her concert of 70 people dubbed ‘Inganzo y’Umutima’, which was set for December 26, at Kigali Serena Hotel, citing the same reasons.
“Due to the alarming increase of COVID-19 cases in our country (Rwanda) and globally in general, the lnganzo y’Umutima Album launch that was to be held on 26th December 2020 at Kigali Serena Hotel stands halt,”
“We had been preparing for this event for a long time to display our magical talents, invested heavily in making sure that the event will be one of a kind and so, it saddens us to a great extent to halt it at this time,” Karasira said in a statement.
Her concert, which set tongues wagging due to the Rwf100, 000 entrance charges, had already sold out, was the first concert to be announced before the COVID-19 numbers spiked.
Karasira said the decision was a hard one but a timely one has been reached shortly after the cabinet meeting resolution which stops all the social gatherings in order to protect residents of Rwanda from COVID-19.
“While we know this is disappointing, we hope you can understand the wisdom of our leaders and the steps they are taking to help keep our country safe,” Karasira said, adding that plans for the concert will resume as soon as it is possible.
Karasira performs at a United Nations’ International Human Rights Day Celebrations last week.
She promised to refund those who had already bought tickets and would wish to be refunded, thanking those who are buying her album.
The music and arts industry are one of the sectors most hit by the pandemic in Rwanda and globally. It is not yet clear if the end of year activities scheduled at Kigali Arena will take place following the new directives.
Rwanda on Tuesday registered 85 new cases and one death, bringing it to a total of 404 cases in 4 days and a total of 57 deaths now. The deceased was a 70-year-old man in Rubavu districts.
The government has tightened measures against COVID-19, ahead of the festive season, with new further restrictions expected on December 22.
Officials have warned citizens and residents against complacency in observing the measures, which the Ministry of Health says is responsible for the upsurge.
