Story Told on Canvas Festival: Where Art Preserves Legacy and Inspires Tomorrow
KIGALI – For four editions, the Story Told on Canvas (STOC) Festival has steadily carved out a place in Rwanda’s growing creative landscape, bringing together artists, collectors, policymakers and art enthusiasts to celebrate the power of visual storytelling. This year’s edition, held on July 5, 2026, at Kigali Universe Meeting Hall under the theme “Umurage” (Legacy), formed part of the Kwibohora 32 commemorations, honouring the courage and sacrifice of those who contributed to Rwanda’s liberation and challenging participants to reflect on the stories that shape the nation’s identity today.
Founded by Rwandan visual artist Bruce Mbanzabugabo, the STOC Festival has evolved into more than an art exhibition. Opening the evening, Mbanzabugabo described it as a space where creativity transcends words where every canvas becomes a voice and every colour carries a story and where meaningful conversations are sparked through art as a universal language.
The exhibition featured works by both established and emerging artists, each presenting unique interpretations of legacy. Through portraits, abstract compositions and contemporary mixed-media pieces, the artists explored themes of family, resilience, tradition, memory and national identity.
One of the highlights of the evening was a panel discussion bringing together artists, cultural practitioners and members of the Rwanda Defence Force. Mbanzabugabo, speaking both as founder and panelist, stressed the role parents play in passing legacy down to the next generation urging families to sit with their children and actively teach them about their culture, language and history rather than assuming it will be absorbed on its own.
Col. Désiré Migambi Mungamba, the Chief of Civil-Military Cooperation in the Rwanda Defence Force, traced the Rwanda’s liberation struggle by the RPF/RPA, drawing a direct line between that journey, and related stories artists are telling today. He commended the artists for their work and encouraged them to keep up the momentum, to be resilient and remain agents of positive change.
Mr Teddy Mazina, an activist photographer, spoke to the broader role art has played across generations from documenting the past to helping rebuild trust and hope in post-conflict societies. His remarks widened the conversation beyond Rwanda, framing art as a regional tool for healing.
For many visitors, the opportunity to engage directly with the artists added another dimension to the experience, turning the exhibition into a space for learning as much as appreciation. Among them was Ambassador Naeem Khan of Pakistan, who is accredited to Rwanda, Burundi and Angola. He described art as the only true way to capture reality, noting that it preserves both nature’s beauty and history. He praised the artists on display, saying he was moved enough by several pieces that he wished he could take them home.
In his remarks, Mbanzabugabo thanked the festival’s sponsors — BruceMHub, Kigali Universe, Elevate Studio, Conquer Films and Nazirite Image — describing their support as an investment not just in the event but in Rwanda’s broader creative economy and the preservation of its cultural heritage. He also acknowledged the organising committee, volunteers and media partners for turning the festival from an idea into reality.
As Rwanda’s arts sector continues to expand, initiatives such as the STOC Festival demonstrate the growing recognition of creative industries as drivers of cultural preservation and economic opportunity. With each edition, STOC Festival continues to affirm that art is not only something to be seen — it is something to be understood, shared and passed on.
