Fiesta music fest goes to Rwanda

"This is the first time Fiesta is happening outside Tanzania, so we're starting Fiesta Rwanda as the first Fiesta outside Tanzania,” the event’s organiser, Lee Ndayisaba, said. “But it will be happening every year in the summer."

The event, which began 16 years ago in Tanzania, saw internationally renowned Jamaican reggae band Morgan Heritage and Tanzanian bongo flava star Diamond Platnumz headline the evening.

With an annual attendance of more than 60 000 people, Fiesta is the region’s largest and oldest music festival. It is commonly referred to as 'East Africa’s Biggest Stage'.

The event, which is organised by Rwandese Prime Time Promotions in partnership with RwandAir, Akagera Aviation and Tigo Rwanda, has ironically always been held in Tanzania. Until now. 

“I’m Rwandan but I’ve done Fiesta for so many years outside Rwanda,” Ndayisaba told The New Times. “So I asked myself if it could work elsewhere, then why not home. I have a very good rapport with many artists and we talk so many times.”

Other artists who performed at the weekend included Vanessa Mdee, Chege, Yvan Buravan, Charly & Nina and DJ Pius.

Fiesta has been one of the signature and high-profile music events on the Tanzanian entertainment calendar. Previous editions have drawn international mega stars such as Jay Z, Ludacris, 50 Cent, Kat de Luna, Rick Ross, Fat Joe, Gyptian and TI, among others.