Kigali – President Paul Kagame has held discussions with internationally renowned architect Daniel Libeskind and senior representatives of Studio Libeskind on an ambitious project to establish a new National Genocide Monument at the Kigali Genocide Memorial in Gisozi, marking another important step in Rwanda’s continued efforts to preserve the memory of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. The meeting brought together Daniel Libeskind, his wife and Studio Libeskind co-founder Nina Libeskind, Studio partner Stefan Blach, and Holm Keller, President of the kENUP Foundation, to explore the vision, design principles, and educational significance of the planned memorial.
The proposed monument is expected to become a major addition to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, the final resting place of more than 250,000 victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi. Beyond serving as a physical landmark, the project is intended to deepen public understanding of one of the darkest chapters in Rwanda’s history while creating a meaningful environment where remembrance, education, and reflection come together. The monument is envisioned as a place where survivors, families, young people, researchers, and visitors from around the world can engage with history in a thoughtful and respectful setting.
According to information released by the Office of the President at Urugwiro Village on June 25, 2026, the monument will integrate advanced technology to create an immersive educational experience. Modern digital tools and innovative exhibition methods are expected to help communicate historical facts in ways that encourage learning, reflection, and dialogue across generations. The project reflects Rwanda’s commitment to ensuring that the lessons of the genocide remain accessible to future generations while embracing new approaches to public history and memorial design.
Studio Libeskind’s participation brings internationally recognized expertise in designing spaces that honor memory and human resilience. Daniel Libeskind has built a distinguished career creating museums, memorials, and cultural institutions that explore the relationship between history, architecture, and collective remembrance. His work has consistently focused on transforming sites connected to tragedy into places that encourage understanding, reflection, and hope for the future.
Founded in 1989 by Daniel and Nina Libeskind, Studio Libeskind gained worldwide recognition after winning the international competition to design the Jewish Museum Berlin. That landmark project established the firm’s reputation for creating architecture that conveys historical narratives through both form and experience. Since then, the studio has completed numerous projects dedicated to preserving historical memory while inspiring dialogue about humanity, justice, and reconciliation.
Daniel Libeskind’s personal history has also shaped his architectural philosophy. Born in Poland in 1946 to parents who survived the Holocaust, he has frequently drawn upon themes of remembrance, resilience, identity, and renewal throughout his work. His international reputation expanded further in 2003 when he was selected to lead the master plan for the redevelopment of the World Trade Center site in New York following the September 11 terrorist attacks, a project that placed him among the world’s leading architects for memorial and civic spaces.
Over the years, Studio Libeskind has contributed to numerous internationally acclaimed projects, including the National Holocaust Monument in Ottawa, the Imperial War Museum North in the United Kingdom, the Contemporary Jewish Museum in San Francisco, and other institutions dedicated to preserving historical memory and cultural heritage. These projects share a common philosophy that architecture should not only commemorate the past but also encourage societies to build a more peaceful and inclusive future.
That philosophy aligns closely with Rwanda’s vision for the National Genocide Monument. The planned memorial is expected to reinforce the country’s long-standing commitment to honoring victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi while strengthening educational initiatives that promote historical understanding and vigilance against genocide denial, distortion, and all forms of hatred and discrimination. By combining thoughtful architectural design with innovative technology, the monument aims to become an enduring center for learning that speaks to audiences across generations and national borders.
Officials envision the future monument as more than a memorial site. It is expected to become a place where history is preserved with dignity, where visitors are encouraged to reflect on the consequences of intolerance and violence, and where the universal values of human dignity, responsibility, and peace are reinforced. Through this initiative, Rwanda seeks to ensure that the memory of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi continues to educate the world while inspiring future generations to reject hatred, defend truth, and work toward a future founded on reconciliation, justice, and lasting peace.
