In the course of what turned into a highly successful tour, Ballet Inganzo performed to over 7,000 people and held workshops with over 2000 children. Audience reactions were universally positive (resulting in many invitations to return in future years) and the schools workshops were received with enthusiasm from both pupils and teachers.

Highlights of the tour included performances at the National Theatre, a days recording at Sir George Martin’s world famous ‘Air Studios’ and the recording of a special documentary for the BBC world service.

Quotes from the 2002 tour

"I never thought I would have the opportunity to visit other parts of the world. I currently believe that anything is possible" Consolee Nyiransingizimana - member of Ballet Inganzo

"Any project that encourages the growth and awareness of such a vibrant culture is priceless. Bringing Ballet Inganzo to the UK is a fantastic opportunity for two very diverse youth cultures to form an understanding of each other."

Sir George Martin KBE

"A visual spectacle of powerful drumming, dance and song, this was completely unadulterated roots music delivered with an innocent joy"

- Bob Mardon – Rhythms of the World Festival

"It has been a fantastic experience for the school. The use of music surmounted the language barrier and allowed the two cultures to mingle"

Nick Hutson - Headmaster Wellow School

Ballet Inganzo UK tour 2004 

The musicians and dancers travelled to the UK on March 19 for a seventeen day series of music workshops in London schools and performances. The tour was being organised and managed by Inshuti-UK, a London-based collective dedicated to raising international awareness of this traditional form of musical drama from Central Africa, and to providing development assistance to the community of Ruhengeri and the surrounding area.

The Rwanda Forum on Saturday 27 March remembered the 800,000 to a million Tutsi and Hutu moderates murdered in just three months by the Hutu extremist government ten years ago this month.

The day concluded with a performance by Ballet Inganzo a Rwandan dance troupe composed of Hutu and Tutsi performers - an emblem of reconciliation

Hampshire County Youth Orchestra will host Ballet Inganzo, an exciting young dance company from Rwanda. Formed from three Rwandan tribes that until recently were engaged in civil war, Ballet Inganzo was founded as part of a process of reconciliation by group director François Nkinzehwiki.

See them at The Anvil, Basingstoke Saturday 13 July 2004.

During July, the company will also be giving workshops and performances in 11 Hampshire schools.

Information compliments of http://www.pangaeamusic.co.uk/