Von Trapps sing National Anthem at Gorilla Naming Ceremony
Kwita Izina is a colorful Rwandan festival hosted to name the baby mountain gorillas born throughout the year. Found only in the Virunga Mountains of Eastern Africa, the mountain gorillas are thriving thanks to massive conservation efforts. The UN has declared 2009 as the ‘Year of the Gorilla’. This June, eighteen gorillas were given names by many national and international dignitaries including Jack Hanna.
B2R friends, the Von Trapp Family Singers, made a special appearance at the ceremony. As a gift to the many Rwandan leaders and locals at Kwita Izina, Sofia, Melanie, Amanda, and Justin Von Trapp sang the Rwandan National Anthem in Kinyarwanda, the country’s native language.
The national anthem was written post 1994 and gives a great representation of how the country is looking to a bright future. The thousands of Rwandans in attendance roared in appreciation and delight as the Von Trapps finished harmonizing the anthem which ends on this note -
“Maintain this cape, beloved Rwanda,
Standing, we commit for you
So that peace reigns countrywide
That you are free of all hindrance
That your determination hires progress
That you have excellent relations with all countries
And that finally your pride is worth your esteem.”
Bridge2Rwanda was on ground at Kwita Izina. Julie Hamilton, a B2R volunteer, assisted the Rwandan tourism department in planning and hosting the event.
Von Trapps Perform in Rwanda
Von Trapps sing National Anthem at Gorilla Naming Ceremony
Kwita Izina is a colorful Rwandan festival hosted to name the baby mountain gorillas born throughout the year. Found only in the Virunga Mountains of Eastern Africa, the mountain gorillas are thriving thanks to massive conservation efforts. The UN has declared 2009 as the ‘Year of the Gorilla’. This June, eighteen gorillas were given names by many national and international dignitaries including Jack Hanna.
B2R friends, the Von Trapp Family Singers, made a special appearance at the ceremony. As a gift to the many Rwandan leaders and locals at Kwita Izina, Sofia, Melanie, Amanda, and Justin Von Trapp sang the Rwandan National Anthem in Kinyarwanda, the country’s native language.
The national anthem was written post 1994 and gives a great representation of how the country is looking to a bright future. The thousands of Rwandans in attendance roared in appreciation and delight as the Von Trapps finished harmonizing the anthem which ends on this note -
“Maintain this cape, beloved Rwanda,
Standing, we commit for you
So that peace reigns countrywide
That you are free of all hindrance
That your determination hires progress
That you have excellent relations with all countries
And that finally your pride is worth your esteem.”
Bridge2Rwanda was on ground at Kwita Izina. Julie Hamilton, a B2R volunteer, assisted the Rwandan tourism department in planning and hosting the event.
Related Links:
http://www.kwitizina.org/
http://www.vontrappchildren.com/