When the Pillars Bear Grief*

Inclusion of the virtual name pillar in the permanent exhibition of the Kigali Genocide Memorial

A memorial project conceived and developed by the Austrian–French artist duo Bele Marx & Gilles Mussard (Artistic Concept, Idea, and Project Direction), upon request and in collaboration with Ancilla Umubyeyi, a survivor of the genocide against the Tutsi living in Vienna.

This presentation was realised in partnership with and upon the invitation of Aegis Trust. 

Opening on 14 May 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at the Kigali Genocide Memorial. KG 14 Ave, Kigali, Ruanda

PROGRAMME

09:30–10:00 Arrival Registration
10:00–10:05 Welcoming Remarks by Freddy Mutanguha, Aegis Trust CEO
10:05–00:10 Opening Remarks by Dr. Christian Fellner, Ambassador of the Republic
of Austria to Kenya
10:10–11:00 Overview and presentation of the project “When the Pillars Bear Grief”
by Bele Marx & Gilles Mussard and Ancilla Umubyeyi
11:10–11: 15 Remarks from IBUKA
11:15–11: 25 Closing Remarks by MINUBUMWE

The centre of the artwork is a large virtual pillar, the name pillar, which is visible in the digital world. It displays the names of the victims provided to us by the Kigali Genocide Memorial and marks the beginning of a long-term collaboration.

This opening also represents another starting point for an artistic and scientific memorial project, which aims to record as many victims’ names as possible over the coming years and to complete the Name Column to the greatest possible extent. The names are also read aloud and can be heard both via headphones and through the speakers of mobile devices.

The artifact was created by Bele Marx & Gilles Mussard in collaboration with SystemKollektiv and is accessible on the platform of the Artificial Museum.

The artefact

The artefact can be accessed on site from 14 Mai 2026 with sound via a QR code, so a smartphone with access to mobile data (and headphones) are required. You will need to bring these yourself. >>> Click here for instructions

Please use the following browser:
Android: Chrome 81+ or Brave
iOS: WebXR Viewer (AR browser)

Note for Apple users: IOS currently does not support augmented reality, to see and hear the artefact on Apple devices, please download the XR-browser in advance (your apple ID is required).

Press release (PDF)

Project information (PDF)

Banners (PDF)

DOWNLOAD PRESS INFORMATION (Texts, project information, photos, RGB, 29.5 MB)

>>> für deutsch hier klicken

>>> pour le français, cliquez ici

Inauguration of A Living Digital Memorial 

The inauguration of the project When the Pillars Bear Grief marks the unveiling of a collaborative memorial initiative developed and conceived by Bele Marx & Gilles Mussard, upon request and in cooperation with Ancilla Umubyeyi. This presentation was realized in partnership with and upon the invitation of Aegis Trust.

Rooted in an interdisciplinary approach that brings together art, memory, and technology, the project engages with the legacy of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.

At its core, the project introduces the concept of a virtual name pillar: an evolving digital structure that carries and displays the names of victims within a living memorial environment. This pillar is conceived not as static monument, but as responsive space of remembrance that continuously evolves. It aims to restore individuality, dignity, and presence to each lost life, while also creating a collective space for reflection, education, and remembrance.

The inauguration will take place on 14 May 2026 at the Kigali Genocide Memorial, in the Ubutwari Room. This occasion will mark a new public presentation of the project’s developing memorial structure and its conceptual framework, now incorporating for the first time the names of victims preserved in the Genocide Archives of Rwanda. It will introduce audiences to a new form of digital remembrance that blends artistic expression with historical consciousness.

A central emotional and symbolic dimension of the project is the recorded voice of remembrance by Ancilla Umubyeyi, a survivor of the Genocide against the Tutsi. Her analog voice recording of the names will form an essential layer of the installation, emphasizing the human presence behind each name and preserving the cultural tradition of oral memory in Rwanda. This auditory element is intended to accompany the visual pillar, deepening the immersive and reflective experience of the memorial.

Kigali Genocide Memorial

About Aegis Trust

Aegis Trust plays a central role in genocide prevention and memory preservation, with a strong commitment to education, research, and peacebuilding. As the managing organisation of the Kigali Genocide Memorial, Aegis Trust works to honor the memory of victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi while also promoting awareness and education to ensure that such atrocities are never repeated.

Through its programmes, Aegis Trust focuses on preserving survivor testimonies, supporting historical documentation, and developing educational initiatives that foster critical reflection on the causes and consequences of genocide. Its engagement in this project reflects its broader mission of transforming memory into an active tool for education, reconciliation, and prevention.

Within When the Pillars Bear Grief, Aegis Trust’s involvement reinforces the ethical and educational grounding of the work, ensuring that the memorial remains aligned with its purpose of dignity, remembrance, and learning for future generations.

Expected Outcomes

The inauguration of this project is expected to achieve several key outcomes. First, it will introduce a new form of digital memorial practice that redefines how names and identities of victims can be preserved and experienced through art and technology. Second, it will strengthen public engagement with memory work by creating an interactive and emotionally resonant space of remembrance.

The project will also contribute to the ongoing dialogue on genocide education and prevention by offering an innovative platform that connects historical memory with contemporary digital expression. In addition, it will lay the foundation for the progressive development of a broader digital memorial ecosystem designed to expand over time and deepen engagement with remembrance practices.

Ultimately, the project seeks to reinforce collective responsibility toward remembrance, ensure the dignity of victims is preserved in perpetuity, and support long-term educational and cultural efforts that uphold the principle of “never again”.

History of the Project’s Creation

CORE TEAM

Ancilla Umubyeyi 
(Request and co-organisation)

comes from Rwanda and has lived in Austria since 1991. She is married and has two children. She is a survivor of the genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. In 1994, around 1 million Tutsi were murdered within 100 days. Among them members of Ancilla’s family. As a survivor, she feels it is her responsibility to inform people about what happened in Rwanda and to warn them, as such events can happen again anywhere, any time. She also wants to restore the victims of the genocide’s dignity that was torn from them at the time.“My greatest wish, however, is that this genocide and its victims are not forgotten and that people learn from the mistakes of the past.” Ancilla Umubyeyi is a counsellor and committee member of Rwanda Diaspora in Austria.

With support from

In partnership with