By Endale Assefa

"Let there be light": The Millennium Concert

This Poem titled 'Let there be light' is the theme of the concert the Addis Ababa University School of Music plans to conduct for the Ethiopian millennium. The highlight of the concert was staged at the National theatre, Thursday night, November 9, in the presence of Ambassador Mohamed Dirir - Minister of Culture and Tourism, Tadelech Dalicho - State Minister of Culture and Tourism, artists and invited guests.

Coordinator and assistant director of the project, Artist Fantahun Shewankochew opening the program said, "The millennium concert in which more than 150 artists are expected to participate will last an hour and a half."

As part of the country's preparation to celebrate the Ethiopian Millennium, the organizers intend to take part in the ceremony as per their talents and profession representing the AAU School of Music, it was indicated.

The staged show was of two types: The first, a sample of classical Mozart concert conducted by Feleke Hailu was immediately followed by the main concert, 'Let there be light'.

According to the organizers, the idea is to emphasis with the musicals the fact that Ethiopia is the origin of human kind. The music is expected to visualize her ancient civilization, cultural values, social interconnections and major historical events. The show highlights the key dynasties Ethiopia has undergone from the reign of Axum to the present day and concludes by expressing the wish that the new millennium be one for peace, love, unity and prosperity, thereby motivating and inducing the public to carry out this dream.

The organizers explained that the musical performance is to be composed by a team of highly qualified professionals in a sequence of symphony orchestra, choir, solo, dance-art and monologues. Hence, an original and standardized theme would be displayed in an aesthetic manner. It was noted that prominent artists and music composers like Ezra Abate, Feleke Hailu, Hailu Alemayehu and Getnet Eniyew have taken part in the preparation of the millennium concert.

Little Ethiopia in Addis

It is a small compound surrounded by tall stone walls with high towers at each corner carefully imitating the castle of King Fasiledes . Though not a museum in the strict traditional way, you may see more if you pay small visit.

All household items are carefully carved to display the historical heritages of the country. You sit in Axum and dine at Lallibella. Across the window, you see a beautiful Sidama Cottage. A cottage made of stone and waxed with mud proudly raised next to the Kembata house gives additional attraction to the scene.

On another side of the compound emperors and presidents' pictures from the reign of Emperor Tewodros till President Girma Woldegiorgis are displayed. This amazing place is known as Birhan Ethiopia , an establishment conceived by Wo Sabella Belaynesh Abay.

Birhan Ethiopia is a privately owned property established at a cost of more than 3 million birr. Wo Sabella said that 'Little Ethiopia' could be open for visitors but permission from the government is needed and, of course, visitors will be charged a small entrance fee.

Her beloved husband Robert John Berkhout says that this little show piece in the middle of Addis Ababa is meant to serve as a small ID for foreigners who are interested in knowing Ethiopia.

Italian film week celebrated
Ibro-American Film Festival follows

'Egia ieri', which literally means 'it is already yesterday', is a film about Antonio Albanese, an arrogant journalist who went to the Canaries Island to produce a film and was stranded by a storm and forced to re-live the same day over and over again. Every day he wakes up, it is August 13 and seems like tomorrow will never come. With time, he will find love and compassion and will be able to stop the curse and choose to live a different life.

This bitter sweet comedy is a 1hr 40 scenario on show among the five film series selected for the Italian film week celebrated since November 7, 2006 at the Italian Cultural Institute. Figli-hijos, Honolulu baby, quo vadis baby and La soconda nottee di nozze are the other awesome comedies that have gained viewers' cheer.

In related development, the Italian cultural Institute is to host the first Ibro-American (Spanish and Portuguese speaking countries) film festival starting from Wednesday November 15.

Ambassadors and representatives of the Ibro-American countries - Spain , Cuba , Venezuela , Portugal and Brazil - have shared ideas with journalists about the nature of Ibroamerican film festival and related issues.

Brazilian Ambassador to Ethiopia , Mr. Renato Xavier said, "The designation Ibro-American derives from the people-Ibros-among the first to populate the peninsula of Portugal and Spain that still bear their name Iberian Peninsula . 22 countries who speak Spanish and Portuguese gather every year at a summit to discuss the international situation, boost cooperation, coordination and solidarity."

The Ambassador further explained the nature of the two films selected for the show O auto da compadecida - the merciful and Filhos de Fransisco - Fransisco's two sons. These two films will be screened on 15 and 21 November. Mrs. Loipa Sañchez Lorenzo, Counselor and Deputy Head of Cuba Embassy said that Cuba has similarly chosen two comedy films for the festival.

The first film entitled Adorable mentiras - Lovely lies - embarks on a love story of one Jorge Luis, a married man with Sisi, a married woman. The second film, La Vita en rosa - Life in rosy hues about a group of friends who start reading a secretly published novel that received good acceptance from its readers, she explained.

" Spain has presented two wonderful love stories too entitled Mad Love and Open your eyes," says Ambassador of Spain to Ethiopia , Mrs. Carmen de Lapeña.

'Mad love' is a story of Queen Joanna (the Mad), mother of Emperor Charles V and the second daughter of Ferdinand. It is a story of passion, lies and jealousy. These two films will be screened on November 18 and 24.

'Equatorian Patriot' and 'a house with a view to sea' are the two films Venezuela presented to the festival says Mr. Luis Mariano Joubert mata, Ambassador of Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to Ethiopia .