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“We consider it a matter of great importance to revise and develop the fine arts in Our country in a manner which will enable Our artists to combine the historical and traditional art of Ethiopia with the advantages of modern technical developments in the field.” H.I.M. Haile Selassie I
On July 23rd, the premier art school in Ethiopia, Addis Ababa University Ale School of Fine Art and Design (ASFAD) will enjoy its 60th year anniversary. That day in history, also the b-earthday of the art loving monarch, H.I.M. Emperor Haile Selassie I offered the following advice in the Art School’s inaugural speech. “We have established this institution because We consider it a matter of great importance to revise and develop the fine arts in Our country in a manner which will enable Our artists to combine the historical and traditional art of Ethiopia with the advantages of modern technical developments in the field.” And so they did.
ASFAD was the first university based art school on the continent to be established by Africans for Africans, as 1958 had a mere eight independent African countries. Realizing the significance of the art school and arts in general, The Emperor personally continued to visit and support the young budding Ethiopian art students for the decades of His reign. With his sentiments setting the tone for the trajectory of fine art out of Ethiopia, the School’s namesake and frankly the inspiration for the Majesty’s backing, Artist Alle Felege Selam, would live to see the school graduate hundreds of young aspiring artists. Consistent with the Majesty’s vision of the development of fine art, Ethiopia has produced some of the most outstanding yet underrated artists on the continent, in my opinion. The level of skills, vast array of media, cultural and contemporary content, and international representation at various international art fairs and biennales would make all Ethiopians feel proud. Yet we have much more to do to truly realize our full capacity in Fine Art.
Even with a handful of common Ethiopian household names including Gebre Kristos Desta, Laureate Afework Tekle, Eskinder Bogosian and Laureate Desta Hagos; we have yet to know the names of the other scores of artists over the decades who helped fulfill the aspiration of the founders and early visionaries of the art school. From the 1960’s to present, many of the exceptional graduates would also go on to receive higher education in fine art in Russia, Czechoslovakia, Cuba, USA, Germany, England and France. Upon returning home to Ethiopia, they pursued careers at their alma mater, in government offices, public and private commission for statues and murals and of course as studio artists. Most importantly, they would teach and mentor new generations of artists armed with the best international fine art education. That said, ASFAD has gone from providing diplomas in fine art to a range of degrees in five major departments including Industrial Design, Painting, Printmaking, Sculpture, Art Education. They also currently provide two graduate degree programs in Fine Art and Film Production, expanding the opportunities for artists to pursue education that subsequently opens up myriad career prospects.
The King who loved culture desired the development of an African country firmly positioned and recognized on the international art stage, affirming its past contributions and future potential stating, “The ancient paintings that are still to be seen in the great monasteries and churches of Ethiopia, and the carvings in wood and stone which have come down to us in the ruins of the ancient palaces, bear witness to the fact that the fine arts had attained a comparatively high degree of development even in very early times.”
So parents, when your talented children tell you they would like to pursue degrees in fine art, do not worry and do not consider it is any less valuable than a degree in higher education in Business, Engineering, Medicine or Law. Encourage their aspirations and affirm their God given gifts to create memorable and meaningful art works that will be historical markers of Ethiopia’s contributions to the world. So as we mark the 60th Anniversary of the Art School let us be inspired by the closing words of His Majesty’s opening speech of the art school. “As we have stated, time and time again, it is easy to begin but hard to finish, and We express on this occasion both our happiness at what we see here today, as well as Our strong hope to see this work which is now begun bearing fruit in the neat future.”

Dr. Desta Meghoo is a Jamaican born Creative Consultant and cultural promoter based in Ethiopia since 2005. She is also the Liaison to the African Union for the Ghana based, Diaspora African Forum.

Informal Essay Writing has to Thrive in Ethiopia

Society

July 23, 2018

Before the advent of ‘Social media’ platform opening access for informal essay authors, there were iconic figures who pioneered within the trends of informal essay writing in Ethiopia. As a typical genre of creative writing, one can easily find those informal writing so close to heart. In authoring Informal essay, the author seems at the lowest easy access to get the comprehension of the reader throughout the texts of the informal essay.
Thus far, our fair nation is not devoid of ‘real ambassadors’ of Informal Essay writing in Ethiopia. From the very beginning, the late Mesfin Habtemariam was cherished as the classic and notably pioneering in Informal writing. As for Mesfin “Ye Buna Bet Seiloch- to mean ‘The paints of pub’” “auda a’amet- to mean ‘Holiday’ and ‘Yelelit Dimtsoch -to mean ‘beeping in overnight” was dime enough to be domesticated as historic literary products under Ethiopia literary development. In their attribute, the irregular order and the seemingly nature to jumble the orderly fictional writing, indeed caught the intention of the reader. In several rounds of media documentary, Mesfin disclosed as to how he was provoked to author ‘auda a’amet’ ( to mean holiday). In his tale, he was inspired so suddenly in his exposure to attend on e of the Ethiopiaan Pass over festivity. And to his credit, the work was so descriptive to narrate the nitty gritty of how an Ethiopian household prided the rites of holiday celebration. Mesfin graciously uncovered the very sacred life of celebrating holiday in a rush cosmopolitan vibe.
Very recently, we find Bewketu Seyoum who has debatably reincarnated Informal Essay writing once again the literary soil while he wrote several episodes . The author contributed several articles under the column dubbed as Megbat ena Mewtat (to mean – ‘Exit in and Exit out’) whose protagonist – Muaz is known for critically observing the society. Thus, the protagonist-Muaz observes just from his waiter assignment where he comments on the character of many café visitors.
Also, Daniel Kibret also joined argumentative essay as showcased on various papers and non-fictions. Apparently, with such informal publication one can face with the personality and temperament of the authors. In our case, somebody may got Daniel as a very ‘opinionated’ person through a prism of his blog site, newspaper articles and a book containing collection of articles. Ever since his former articles appeared on the defunct ‘Addis Neger’ weekly Amharic paper, he nudged issues ranging from social incidents to outright political crisis.
Lately, the reflection and political memoire of the late Assefa Chabo was known to be too informal in ways of communicating the text of his narrative. Awhile his narration, he draws the words just like as he spoke a long story of his experience and mixing up the different episode. Interestingly, all what he wrote is keen for one’s hearts just like to hear a story from a big brother of a household.
On the other hand, we find ‘ Efrem Endale’ who sharpened his pen whose articles successively appeared for the past one and half decade on Addis Admas. The satiric style of his arguments created a different colorful identity for his publications. Though, the mood of his writing ends by hilarity, perhaps one can the argument as he shared it from his soul. He touched all current affairs to be commented
In sum, HOHE Awards contends that promoting ‘Informal Essay Writing’ as an important step on which it is part of promoting Ethiopian literary culture. We yearn to see many more Mesfin Habtemariam who delves into the folks of cosmopolitan festivity.

(This article is contributed by HOHE Awards. HOHE Awards started in 2017, is an annual award presented for an author of a distinguished book possessing notable literary merit and critical perspective and illuminating important contemporary issues)

Music for children with cancer

Arts and Culture

July 23, 2018

Two young boys donated money and other materials for children with cancer on Friday July 20. The young boys raised the money by composing music and selling the CD. Minister of Health Amir Aman in his official facebook page said “At the Black Lion’s Pediatrics Oncology Center, we celebrated the inspirational acts of Aaron Admasu 6 ½ and Kaleb Admasu 9 years old – using their musical talent composed, performed, recorded, got printed 500 CDs, and sold and raised 25,000 (ETB) to support children with cancer. These beautiful children are letting their hair grow so that it will be shaved and be given to be worn by children who have lost their hair from chemotherapy. I want to thank Dr. Admasu Tenna and Ms. Senafikish Tekabework, their parents because as the expression goes, a seed doesn’t fall far from the tree”.

Taking it to the streets

Interview

July 23, 2018

These days it is common to see street children all over Addis Ababa, begging, sniffing glue, or getting by selling small items. They sleep in plastic huts, on the roadside or the sidewalks. There is an increasing number of crimes, rapes and prostitution as a result of this phenomena.
One NGOs that works to rehabilitate the children and re-unite them with their families as well as providing vocational training is Elshadai Relief and Development Association. Capital’s Tesfaye Getnet talked with Yonas Weldetensa’e Deputy Director of Elshadai Relief and Development Association to learn more about how they help the kids.
Yonas Weldetensa’e graduated with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Mekelle University in 2008. He also worked as a Veterinarian, a training coordinator, a teacher and trainer.

Capital: What is the mission of Elshadai Relief & Development Association in Ethiopia and what are your major achievements so far?

Yonas Weldetensa’e: Initially, Elshadai was founded in 1989 with a mission to rescue war children who are victims of war and reunify families torn apart by civil war at the time. Since then we have been committed to providing better opportunities for more than 1,060 orphaned, abandoned and unprivileged children; endowing them with valuable education opportunities and a brighter future.
The vast majority of the children (more than 900) are cared for and raised in Elshadai Wukro and Kalamino Children’s Villages. They have graduated from universities, colleges and vocational schools and now they are applying their skills in public services, in governmental higher educational institutions, NGOs as well as the private sector in various professional capacities. Elshadai has also made major strides to provide education opportunities to urban and rural communities from kindergarten to grade 8 levels, established a modern agriculture center in Wukro Village owing to provide practical agriculture education to farmers and to serve researchers and university students. Two thousand eight hundred children of socio-economically disadvantaged family members are supported with education materials, school uniforms, sanitation materials and financial support in a distance sponsorship program while they are with their parents or caregivers.

Elshadai has been a pioneer in a number of initiatives. We have initiated governmental and nongovernmental organizations to reintegrate and rehabilitate fellow human beings living from begging and leading a street life. To that effect 52,466 farmers living from begging in Addis Ababa, Adama, Hawassa, and Dire Dawa were reintegrated and rehabilitated into their localities. In addition, 22,499 children living from begging with their parents and 6,681street children were reintegrated to their localities and reunified with their parents or relatives and enrolled in schools to obtain the valuable education they need and deserve. Two thousand four hundred sixty one street youths were provided with life skills, business skills, entrepreneurship, leadership and vocational trainings and are being provided with employment opportunities in national mega projects; in the Renaissance Dam, Sugar corporation projects, in governmental and non-governmental organizations and in Coops.

Capital: Who brings the street children to you and how do you know their case is legitimate?
Yonas Weldetensa’e: The Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, Addis Ababa City Bureau of Women and Children Affairs and Bureau of Labour and Social Affairs, Addis Ababa Police Commission and Elshadai are involved in picking up the street children. The “pick-up” operation is made from 10:00pm to 6:00am, so that only street children or homeless children are involved in the operation.

Capital: Based on your knowledge why do children live in the streets?
Yonas Weldetensa’e: Generally children are forced to lead a street life due to socioeconomic problems and lack of good governance. Children are migrating from rural to urban areas based on their interest, peer influence while they are distressed and feel insecure about food, education and employment opportunities. Children are also migrating to major cities due to family separation, when one or both parents are deceased or abused by step mother or their step father to take part in adult work, especially when parents are not productive and unable to earn income due to diseases.

Capital: Do you think it’s a good thing to give money or things to street children?
Yonas Weldetensa’e: From our experience; disorganized support like giving money, food and clothing to street children sometimes invites other children to do it. Children those who obtained money, food and clothing on street will go back to their village and show their friends, advertise and provoke others to migrate to cities.

Capital: Is the growing population is one of the factors causing us to see more children on the street?
Yonas Weldetensa’e: The high fertility rate is the indirect factor for more street children. Child labor exploitation, trafficking, violence and abuse also causes an increase in homelessness.

Capital: The life of the children on the streets is miserable, difficult and characterized by lack of food, shelter, security, basic amenities, school, medical care and parental love among others. Is not difficult for you to give vocational trainings for the street children who are occupied by the above challenges?
Yonas Weldetensa’e: In our training and rehabilitation centers children are not provided vocational training; only those who are 18 and above are provided with TVET. As you mentioned, street children are malnourished, living with chronic diseases, exposed for abuse and sexual harassment, and a majority of them are drug addicted. Female children are abducted and forced to have sexual intercourse and are exposed to sexually transmitted diseases including HIV/AIDS and encounter Fistula. To cure and rehabilitate the children from these problems; they are provided with new clothes, shoes, bathing facilities, shave their hair (males), cut their finger nails, their old clothes are burnt and buried, and screening/medical check-up/ for communicable diseases is conducted and those who have a positive result are provided necessary treatments and follow up. They are provided with life skill training including how to build a good personality, how to communicate, how to free themselves from addiction, and abstain from unwanted feelings, how to solve conflict, how to settle problems and difficulties that came from their parents/guardians and how to love them. Children are also provided with psychosocial and psychosomatic therapy with professionals.

Capital: Where do you get the funds and how do you manage them?
Yonas Weldetensa’e: More than 90 percent of the funds are covered by the government and the rest comes from income generating activities and international donors. There are three training and rehabilitation centers which are found in SNNP, Amhara; Awi zone, and in Tigray. The budget is allocated accordingly according to their capacity (the number of street children) the centers have. All centers have the necessary personnel including the finance and administration department which is responsible for managing the budget and is controlled by the head office and audited externally.

Capital: A long time ago the children who were reunited with their family and sent back to the place where they grew up, returned to Addis which nullified your work. What can be done about this?
Yonas Weldetensa’e: Very few children among the previously reunified are coming back again to Addis and other cities. A majority of them are new. Elshadai is planning to conduct research on selective Woredas where many children are migrating from, to investigate the root cause to see why reunified children go back again and why new children are coming and to develop a lasting solution.

Capital: What is your response to allegations made in the media regarding contraband trade?
Yonas Weldetensa’e: It is not true. It was the interest of individuals and extreme hatred rate they have toward the organization. They know where Elshadai gets support. Elshadai has never been engaged in contraband trade. Some vested groups were running here and there to soil Elshadai’s good image. We had big stores in Adama where the highest and least standard clothes, shoes, perfume, food items, training and construction materials were put in place. All these were donated from the government.

Capital: What are the association’s major challenges?
Yonas Weldetensa’e: Limited resources, lack of awareness and fatigue from relevant stakeholders are among the major challenges.

Capital: What is your future plan?
Yonas Weldetensa’e: In the coming five years, by strengthening the existing training and rehabilitation centers and establishing new ones in Oromia Region and in Addis Ababa; we are planning to work vigorously in child reunification, protection of child migration to cities. In addition to this, we plan to support 144,788 citizens with TVET, reintegration and rehabilitation, and with distance sponsorship programs. A new training center in Gambella Region is also under construction to host 65,000 youth from Gambella.