Africa 2000

Hannibal's legacy

The might of the Roman Empire humbled dozens of civilizations, peoples and their cultures. Rome’s invincible legions ensured that its far flung empire remained pliant for centuries. Despite this military, administrative and economic supremacy, there was one power found just across a brief stretch of the Mediterranean that not only refused to pay homage to Rome but actually occupied the city.
This fearsome countering force was Carthage, a powerful militaristic empire ruled by the great strategist Hannibal- a near mythical figure who sacked Rome in 218 BCE. The expedition to Rome was a historically important aspect of a 50 year history of rivalry between Carthage and Rome known as the three Punic wars (264-241, 218-201, 149-146)
Tunisia is the inheritor of this remarkable chapter in African and world history and today considers Hannibal as its national hero. In another example of the great respect given to this illustrious past, Tunisia’s successful soccer team is named Carthage- Eagles.” After the decline of Carthage, the area now known as the Tunisian Republic, fell in succession to occupation by numerous rising powers including the Romans, Barbary states, Arabs, Ottoman Turks, and lastly, by France which assumed protectorateship in 1881.
Tunisia endured 75 years of colonialism until it became independent in 1956 and briefly established as a monarchy. However, in 1957, renowned independence hero Habib Bourguiba became president of the republic and served for nearly thirty years- his rule was contested by sitting Prime Minister Zine Al-Abidine Ben Ali in 1987. The new president, only the second since independence, went on to win four elections from 1984 to 2004
Tunisia has developmental indices that are more south European than African as it has extensive links with the nations across the Mediterranean. The nation is a top tourist destination with millions visiting its beaches and of course the many Roman cities and other ruins dating back hundreds of years.
Tunisia is a stable and prosperous nation which unlike most other Arab countries does not have large oil deposits to rely on. This has resulted in a much diversified economy which helped by tourism, has enabled the country to enjoy one of the highest standards of living in Africa.
The political and social climate is steady and Tunisia enjoys remarkable religious tolerance. There is still a small yet vibrant Jewish community which is free to worship in its own synagogues- a rarity in an Arab nation.

The youngest of eight brothers and sisters Habib Bourguiba was born on August 3rd, 1903 in Monastir (100 miles south of Tunis). His family was of a modest background where both father and grandfather were severely affected by the injustice at that time.
Through the help of his brothers he went to school in Tunis at the famous “College Sadiki” and then at the “Lycee Carnot”. He obtained his Baccalaureat in 1924 and went to Paris University to study Law and Political Science.
On the 25th of July 1957, the Republic was proclaimed abolishing henceforth the monarchy and investing Bourguiba with powers of President of the Republic. While consolidating the independence of the country and setting in motion the struggle for development Bourguiba established during 1956-1964 the institutions and legislation, which made Tunisia a modern nation. He immediately triggered a series of far reaching fundamental changes to Tunisian society through the introduction of several laws related to:
• Women emancipation,
• Free education for all,
• Family planning,
• Free modern healthcare system,
• Literacy campaign,
• Administrative, financial and economic organisation,
• Suppression of the “Waqf frozen propert”,
• Building the country’s infrastructure.
After a failed collectivism experience, Bourguiba embarked from the early 1970 in a modern and liberal model of development spearheaded by Prime Minister, Hédi Nouira for a ten-year period that witnessed the flourishing of medium sized private enterprises and the consolidation of private ownership. The path to a long lasting social transformation was laid down and where a prosperous middle class was shaping up the economic and social Tunisian background.
On the international front, Bourguiba took very courageous positions advocating international legality to solve conflicts among nations culminating in his famous Jericho Speech in March 1965 for a fair and lasting peace between Palestinians and Israel based on UN resolutions.
In March 1975, the National Assembly voted Bourguiba president for life, as an exceptional measure in the constitution for services rendered to the nation.
In the eighties Bourguiba consecrated his energy in combating both poverty and the backward fundamentalist Islamic movement that created a potential threat to the country’s social and economic achievements.
Bourguiba remained the President of Tunisia until the 6th of November 1987 when his newly appointed Prime minister impeached him claiming old age and health reasons.
Bourguiba remained since under house arrest in Monastir for a period of 13 years until his death on the 6th of April 2000. He was buried in Monastir in the family mausoleum on the 8th of April 2000.

Facts and Figures

Location- North African coast, Algeria on West, Libya on East
Area- 163, 610 sq km
Topography- Fertile, forested north, south is arid and on Sahara fringe
Population- 10, 276, 158
Distribution –65.3 % urban
Ethnic Make-up- Arab- 98%, European 1%, Jewish and others
Languages –Arabic (official), French
Religions – Muslim, others
Capital City – Tunis, pop- 734,000
Government Type – Republic
Head of State–President General Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali, Since 1987
Head of Government- P.M. Mohamed Ghannouchi, since 1999
Currency- Dinar (TND) 1.27= $1 US
Gross Domestic Product - $ 89.7 bln
Per Capita GDP -$ 18,800
Economy –Olives and processing, grains,horticulture, oil, mining, textiles, tourism
Electricity Production – 12.9 bln kwh
Life Expectancy – 73.6 male, 72.2 female
AIDS Rate – 0.1 %
Airports – 14
Literacy rate- 74.3 %
Ports- Tunis, Sfax, Biserte
Rail Roads – 2153 kms
Vehicles –800,000 units
Telephones –1.3 million lines
Radios – 158 per 1000 people
TV sets – 190 per 1000 people
Daily newspaper circulation – 18.9 per 1000 people
Internet – 1.3 mln users

Facts and figures are the latest available at time of publication and may not necessarily be the most accurate.

“Retrospect Part 1” 40 years of artistic journey,
Zerihun Yetimgeta, shinies at Alliance gallery

By Abiy Demilew

Thursday evening at 6:30, the gallery was almost fully packed with a local and international audience. Ministers, Ambassadors, diplomats, journalists and various art lovers were waiting patiently for the official opening of the long awaited exhibition.
Zerihun Yetimgeta, the man of few words didn’t have much to say, after Ambassador Mahmoud Dirir and the French Ambassador to Ethiopia, Stephane Gompertz, gave the audience a clear portrayal of the artist in the contemporary Ethiopian art scene.
“I feel very much honored both as Minister and as individual to be able to watch the incredible works of one of the celebrated Ethiopian artists, Zerihun Yetimgeta” said Mahmoud Dirir, Minister of Culture and Tourism, in his opening remarks of exhibition, Thursday night.
Zerihun is seen as a father for most of the young artists whom have once been to the school of Fine Arts. But for most, he is one of the living icons of Ethiopian painting, whose works not only embrace colors, but also crossed Ethiopian borders and achieved international recognition.
Zerihun is known for his pieces on Ethiopian traditional paintings with influences of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church painting tradition and style. Most of all he goes out of the tradition of painting on the internationally accepted medium of paintings and draws his pieces on wood and animal skin.
The colors and lines he uses give him a unique importance not only in Ethiopia and Africa, but also in international art scenario, fromDakar to Geneva. Here Ambassador Mahmoud agrees. “Zerihun Yetimgeta has an incredible magic to capture somebody’s heart, mind, body and soul.”
Zerihun Yetimgeta is a cotemporary of such great Ethiopian icons in the field of modern art like Ale Felegeselam, Eskindir Bogosian and Gebrekristos Desta, says Mahmoud Dirir, remembering his first impression of Zerihun Yetimgeta’s works, a self-portrait of the artist, three decades ago.
Zerihun, after he graduated from the Ethiopian School of Fine Arts, is not only one of celebrity Ethiopian painters, but also one of the teachers in the school who are still working hard in cultivating young artists of the field.
“Zerihun Yetimgeta survived with his esteemed attachment to his land regardless of various political circumstances of the country, while most of his friends have made their ways to different parts of the world, for a better living”, Mahmoud remembers.
“I’m not surprised” said Stephane Gompertz, French Ambassador; “To see the collection of this great artist, who was my first impression, two years ago of Ethiopian arts” and he declares how much his soul is captured by the works of Zerihun Yetmgeta.
Zerihun was born in Addis Ababa in 1941. His artistic talent was discovered at a young age. While attending boarding school he acquired the nickname “scientist” because he enjoyed working with his hands and making things. When, at the age of fifteen, he won first prize in a national art competition, he knew his destiny was to pursue the life of an artist. He completed high school, and began painting classes at the Empress Menen Handicraft School. A year later he was admitted to the School of Fine Arts in Addis Ababa where he studied from 1963 to 1968. He has been teaching two-dimensional art and graphics at the School of Fine Arts since the early 1970s.
Three artists have had a great impact on Zerihun. Two were his teachers at the School of Fine Arts, Karl Heinz Hansen, a German wood engraver who taught at the School from 1963 to 1966, and Gebre Kristos Desta, who Zerihun regards as Ethiopia’s greatest artist. He was also influenced by Skunder (Alexander Boghossian) with whom he shared a studio in the mid-1960s.
The 1974 Revolution in Ethiopia that overthrew Emperor Haile Selassie marked the beginning of a seventeen-year period of military rule and artistic repression. Much of the freedom that artists had enjoyed was supplanted by a strict policy discouraging and at times prohibiting artistic expression that did not conform to the doctrine of social realism. It was an oppressive environment and many of Ethiopia’s most gifted artists fled the country to live and work abroad. Zerihun chose to stay. He does not regret doing so because he is passionately committed to staying firmly rooted in Ethiopia and Africa. Even so, he enjoys traveling and finds his visits to other African countries, Europe, and the United States very rewarding. The experiences he has while traveling-the people he meets and the things he sees-stimulate his mind and aesthetic senses. Many of his impressions end up integrated into his art.
Zerihun’s studio, which is located within the walls of his compound but stands apart from his house, is a round building, following the basic plan of the traditional Ethiopian church and the houses found in certain parts of Ethiopia. Its exterior is decorated with motifs derived from magic scrolls and its conical roof is surmounted by a finial, like those found on Ethiopian churches. Inside, the walls are covered with his work. Paintings are stacked in a small storage room, bearing testimony to Zerihun’s prolific creative drive. Simply looking at a corner of his studio, one can get a sense of what Zerihun is about. There is a map of the world, the cover of a Miles Davis record album, a self-portrait in chalk and one of his wood relief painting titled African Mask Research hang on the wall. He has tremendous empathy for his Ethiopian heritage and his identity as an African, but also sees himself as a citizen of the world.
One can easily observe his passion for history and the cultural heritage of Ethiopia and Africa in many of his works, like in his recent “bamboo strip” painting, Wax and Gold. Here he integrates images of ancient rock art from eastern Ethiopia (ca. 2,000 B.C.), the great stone stele of the Aksumite period (second to eighth centuries A.D.), an Aksumite coin from the fourth-century reign of King Ezana, the cruciform stone church of St. George from Lalibela (thirteenth to fourteenth centuries), motifs from magic scrolls, and Ethiopic script. In addition, his ties with the rest of Africa are represented by renderings of a Akan akua’ba figure from Ghana and one of Zerihun’s own mask creations emerging from his study of West and Central African masks.
In international circles, Zerihun is perhaps the best known Ethiopian artist. His works have appeared in international exhibitions for over 25 years. But it is in the last five years that he has received special recognition with his participation in major exhibitions in Switzerland and Cuba. In 1992, he was awarded the prestigious Prix de la Biennale at DAK’ART 92 (the 2nd Biennale Internationale des Arts de Dakar). He also has works in a number of European and American museum collections, as well as in many private collections.
“Retrospect Part 1”, gathered the collection of 40 years of works of Zerihun Yetmgeta at the Alliance Ethio-Francaise, will remain open until Wednesday, February 27, 2008.
Alliance Ethio-Francaise organizes various cultural and artistic events and is a favorite destination for Ethiopian artists, musicians, sculptors and others.