Paul Rusesabagina

Activist Type

Human Rights

Paul Rusesabagina is a Rwandan human rights activist and author who famously hid and protected 1,268 Hutu and Tutsi refugees from the Interahamwe militia while working as a concierge at the Hôtel des Mille Collines in Kigali in the midst of the Rwandan Genocide. His heroism was the subject of the film Hotel Rwanda which was nominated for several Academy Awards. Rusesabagina has gone on establish the Hotel Rwanda Rusesabagina Foundation which fights for human rights around the world. Rusesabagina has been the recipient of many accolades and awards including the Presidential Medal of Freedom which he was awarded in 2005.

Artwork by

Johnny Selman

The painting style that Rwanda is most known for is called iminongo. Imigongo art is made from cow dung and was traditionally used to decorate the huts, pottery, and canvas with geometric patterns and spirals of black, white, red, and grey. The art was almost totally wiped out in the Genocide of 1994, but has fortunately been saved and is enjoying a return to the Rwandan culture.

Rwanda

Capital

Kigali

Founded

July 1, 1962

Demonym

Rwandan