Not every book club session takes place in a library, café, or conference room.
The latest edition of the Turning Pages program unfolded inside iGasabo Showroom in Kigali, proving once again that meaningful conversations about books can happen in the most unexpected spaces.
Bringing together three in-person participants and two virtual attendees, the session centered on Nyanza: Through the Eyes of a Domestic Tourist. What followed was not a formal discussion but an easy, intimate conversation among people united by a shared curiosity about Rwanda's heritage and tourism potential.
Perhaps it was the setting. Surrounded by carefully designed furniture and comfortable lounge spaces, participants settled into a relaxed atmosphere that encouraged open conversation. The discussion flowed naturally, creating one of those sessions where ideas are exchanged freely and everyone feels at ease contributing.
Beyond exploring the themes presented in the book, participants offered both positive feedback and constructive suggestions about the Turning Pages initiative itself. Their insights will undoubtedly help strengthen and refine the program as it continues to grow.
A highlight of the session was the opportunity to hear directly from two individuals deeply familiar with Nyanza as a destination: Patrick Mfura, Public Relations Manager for Nyanza District, and Simon Pierre Dufitumukiza, Manager of the Royal Nyanza Visitor Center.
Although time did not allow for an extensive presentation, their overview of Nyanza left participants eager to discover more. Through their contributions, the district emerged as far more than the historical home of Rwanda's monarchy. It revealed itself as a destination where heritage, royal history, community experiences, nature, art, and culture come together to create a compelling experience for visitors.
By the end of the discussion, Nyanza felt less like a place on a map and more like a destination waiting to be explored.
After the session concluded, the conversation gave way to reflection. Moving from the lounge area to a writing desk in another corner of the showroom, I settled down to document the experience. Fittingly, this recap was written from within the very space that hosted the discussion.
The experience reaffirmed an important lesson: reading and meaningful conversations do not belong to any single type of venue. Sometimes all that is needed is a comfortable space, curious minds, and a story worth discussing.
Bringing Turning Pages to iGasabo Showroom turned out to be a very good idea.