A new book titled *“Haile Selassie: The Palace’s Photo Albums”* has been released, offering a unique glimpse into Ethiopia’s royal past through a stunning collection of photographs from the reign of Emperor Haile Selassie. Edited by Giula Bonacci, Denis Gérard and Estelle Sohier, this book provides intimate and insightful portraits of one of Africa’s most influential leaders.
The book spans Haile Selassie’s life from his childhood in 1896 to his removal in 1974, featuring thousands of images preserved from the National Palace. These photographs capture various aspects of his reign, including personal family life, political power, diplomatic engagements, and periods of war and exile. The collection is organized into seven thematic sections: family, rights to power, war and persecution, and paintings of Haile Selassie, which cover both domestic and international affairs.
Professor Shiferaw Bekele who wrote the part ‘Haile Selassie, The Leader and the Man’ emphasized the importance of visual records in understanding Haile Selassie’s role in Ethiopia and internationally. “We want to make Haile Selassie’s policies visible,” he said, highlighting the significance of these photographs as historical sources and representations of Ethiopian heritage.
The book includes accompanying texts that provide crucial historical context. Professor Shiferaw offers an introduction to Haile Selassie’s reign, while an interview with Denejira details the preservation of the palace’s photographic archives. Stéphane Soler from the University of Geneva discusses the role of photography during this period.
One of the book’s most remarkable features is a transcript of Haile Selassie’s speech during the founding of the Organization of African Unity in 1963, translated into French and Polish. This document, along with reflections on the imperial heritage, enhances the historical depth of the book.
The editors underscored the importance of these photographs as historical sources and representations of Ethiopian heritage. “These texts provide context for the photographs and evoke the context in which these albums were produced and their political use,” they noted.
Professor Shiferaw highlighted the book’s value in understanding Haile Selassie’s influence on African independence and international politics. “Visual representations of African independence, images of summit meetings and discussions, demonstrate the book’s significance in historical research,” he explained.
The publication of *“Haile Selassie: The Palace’s Photo Albums”* is set to become a valuable resource for historians, researchers, and anyone interested in the complex and rich history of Ethiopia. Available now at BookWorld, this book offers a unique opportunity to explore the life and legacy of one of Africa’s most iconic leaders through rare and captivating photographs.
For those interested in digging deeper into Ethiopia’s royal past, this book is a must-read, providing a comprehensive and visually stunning exploration of Haile Selassie’s reign and its enduring impact on African history.
