English Poetry published By Endale Assefa
A miniature pocket sized book of poetry book was inaugurated last Sunday, August 6, 2006 at New York Café in the presence of artists and invited guests.
The author of the poetry entitled ‘Exiled Courage', Alishu Mume Ibrahim , dedicated the book to all Ethiopians abroad at the opening ceremony. “I am very much honored to have ‘my parents', Tesfaye Gessese and Haimanot Alemu (old teachers) present here. I am afraid however, that some of the terms I used in the poems may not fit Ethiopian settings, for I prepared it while I was abroad. In other words, the emotions, anger, and love I wrote may be foreign to you; they reflect cultural shocks I encountered in foreign countries. So, please, try to understand them contextually.”
Alishu also said that most of the poems might give more sense to Ethiopians residing abroad or those who have returned to their homeland. Because, these works attempt to portray situations and life conditions abroad, hence, it is entitled ‘Exiled Courage.'
Associate professor and Artist Tesfaye Gessese on his part said, “He was one of my best students, we played ‘Alula Abanega' together in 1995. What impresses me most when I think of Alishu, however, is that he spent two years in Jinka, to learn the language of the localities and where after, he prepared a dictionary guide for tourists. Haimanot Alemu also expressed his appreciation to the author saying, “This moment reminds me of a famous saying ...‘grow a child so straight, he will not need you when you aren't there. Grow a child so straight, he will need you when you are there. I am fully blessed with children like Alishu in the art s. Haimanot quoted from some of the poems from the book.
Exiled Courage is a compilation of 36 short poems, not more than ten verses on average, and is available in the market at a price of fifteen birr.
Abate Mekuria revamping his studio
By Groum Abate
Mekuria Theater Studio and Entertainment (MTSE) premiered its latest play on corruption, Baye Besema , and launched its new magazine and website on Thursday August 10 at its premises.
Members of Mekuria Dance Company presented solo dance pieces for invited guests, which is also their final presentation as students. The Dance Company train talented young girl and boy dancers in the basics of modern Ballet, Jazz and in popular dance movements and techniques by a professional chorographer. The music company members are young practitioners who have various talents and experience in vocal and instrument training.
The quarterly magazine- Mekuria Theater is published in both Amharic and English and is supposed to realize and share the company's ideals of promoting theater/performing arts. The company believes that the public can be entertained and nourished by reading publications on indigenous and modern art forms. The free magazine would be distributed to theater practitioners, public libraries, high schools, higher education institutions, theater houses, cultural centers, amateur theater clubs, youth clubs and vocational training institions in Addis Ababa as well as in regional towns.
MTSE is a private company which has been operating for over a decade in the field of performing arts as well as in the eastern African region, through the theatre network called the Eastern African Theatre Institute (EATI). The company is run by the managing director Abate Mekuria who is a prominent theatre director in the Ethiopian performing arts scene. MTSE is a pioneer to advocate and use the methodology called ‘theatre in development.' This peculiar drama technique and school of thought serves as an artistic vehicle in disseminating information and in creating awareness on identified social problems for particular communities (active spectators/ participants) in connection with the particular problem.
Thirteen year old boy publishes book By Endale Assefa
Tinbite Solomon , just thirteen years old, has published an English short story of eighty two pages entitled ‘Golden Gloves' -the warrior . “The idea came to my mind while I was simply drawing a picture of a village, for I was more of an artist than an author. Then I changed it in to a story.” Says Tinbite to Capital explaining how the idea came to him in the first place.
Tinbite Solomon was born here in Addis, and is attending school in Armenian Community School , which according to him influenced him in giving foreign names to the characters in the book. Asked by Capital the difficulties he face while writing this book, Tinbite said, “I had in fact problems like spellings, punctuation, and selecting some appropriate vocabulary. Indeed, I couldn't have done any thing had Ato Fikru Wackgira not edited the stories. I am also indebted to Ms. Michela Marasani for her motivation until the end and last but not least, my father who among other things covered the seven thousand birr for publication.”
His father Ato Solomon Wolde says that he is always proud of his son. “I was shocked when he showed me his hand written script due to the realization that my kid has started a journey to adult hood.” According to Ato Solomon , his book is not only a story of fighting over a legend. He tries to tell us that ‘fighting has no miracle even for the winners.'
The book is still not for sale officially due to some temporal problems even though it was officially inaugurated last month at Global Hotel. Capital would like to forward its appreciation to this young talent for being an ice-breaker for his peers.
Abdu Kiar in charity work
By Mahider Kebede
Abdu Kiar the singer best known for the song ‘ Merkato Sefere ' (Merkato my neighbourhood) who has gained more popularity with his second album ‘fikir bamarigna' (love in Amharic) is now into charity work helping 27 orphans.
“We have finalized the ground work, that is renting the house and furnishing it with beds and other necessities,” said his brother. Although the process for a permit to establish the NGO is not yet finalized with the Ministry of Justice, the two brothers are confident they will get the license shortly.
Abdu Kiar has been involved in sponsoring 5 children for the last 5 months of the Ethiopian school year at an NGO called Yetesfa Ber Le Ethiopia Histanat Mahiber . He is also involved in helping over 20 children attend religious classes. Abdu Kiar was married in the current Ethiopia year after a 16-year romance with his fiancé. The Ethiopian singer that paved the way for charity is Chachi Tadesse who helps around 23 children in her NGO, Hohete Tesfa LeEthiopia Godana Histanat .
|
