ADDIS ABABA – Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Dr. Abiy Ahmed Ali inaugurated the new Peace Prize exhibition at the Nobel Peace Oslo which was opened on December to public and would stay open until 12 November.
The exhibition is a portrait of the Laureate himself, but it is also a close-up on change, hope and challenges in his country.
Only days after the announcement of this year´s Laureate, award-winning photographer Finbarr O`Reilly travelled to Ethiopia, on assignment by the Nobel Peace Center, to create a series of photographs of the country and the Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.
“I had very limited time with the Laureate- just a few minutes to make a handful of portraits. So, I focused on documenting some of the political changes implemented by the Laureate, and how he has positioned himself to lead his country as it heads towards elections scheduled for next year,” said O’Reilly to Nobel Peace Center.
O´Reilly has captured some of the women assigned to power in Abiy´s new government and how the changes influencing the society in Addis Ababa. He has also visited the disputed areas of the North were traces of the conflict with Eritrea still lingers.
Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa has a thriving photograph scene which is also depicted in one part of the exhibition with photographs captured by Ethiopia´s seven highest ranking photographers, curated by Aida Muluneh. The images show the transition the county has gone through.
The Exhibition is supported by the City of Oslo, 5th element group and Canon print & imaging partner and it shows works by Ethiopian photographers from Addis Photo Fest archives, co-curated by Aida Muluneh, Desta for Africa Creative Consulting Plc.
In a related development, diplomats here have lauded PM’s award. Among others, ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan, Matsunaga Daisuke, said that Congratulations, Prime Minister Dr. Abiy, on the Nobel Peace Prize! May your great work bear fruit in Ethiopia, Eritrea and East Africa.
The Ethiopian Herald December 5/2019
BY FASICA BERHANE
