Ethiopian musicians and cultural diplomats pledged commitments to boost engagement in consolidating the cultural diplomacy between Ethiopia and Eritrea.
The artists expressed their motives when the Ethiopian cultural troupe was on tour in Eritrea last week in a bid to strengthening the two countries’ people to people relation that has been restored after two decades.
The cultural troupe that incorporates government officials, musicians, comedians and theatre makers among others experienced a warm hospitality from the Eritrean people.
Artist Hamelmal Abate expressed her gratitude to the Eritrean people for their worthy generosity. Bruktawit Getahun, aka Betty G also pledged to give hospitable welcoming to her Eritrean counterparts when they come to Ethiopia.
Hamelmal said she lacks words to express how nicely Eritreans have treated and welcomed Ethiopian cultural delegation during their stay there. “Music is an international language that’s why the Eritreans were enjoying most of our songs performed on the stage.”
Artist DibekuluTafesse, musician from Jano Band believed that peace is the major platform to produce and perform music and any other art piece for a certain goal.
“When there is peace, there will be the development of music, mutual cooperation and cultural exchange between peoples. It is not only for the two countries, peace is the basics of life to the whole people across the world.”
Peace is also the key to success that induce ardent diligence assisted by inspiring art pieces especially by music, he noted.
State Minister of Culture and Tourism Bizunesh Meseret said that the major role of the cultural diplomacy is to increase intimacy between the people of Ethiopia and Eritrea.
The tour is helpful to cultural exchange and experience sharing. Therefore,cultural diplomacy is a mechanism to boost cooperation between the countries for extra mutual development, she noted.
This should be strengthened in various sectors,Bizunesh said adding that sportsmen, cultural groups and art people ought to actively engage in consolidating the people to people relations so that the countries would work together for peace and economic development.
“We have performed music to bring peace and cooperation between the two people,”said Betty G. It is fascinating to build peace via music, she noted.
According to Hamelmal,art has super power to achieve anything. “Therefore, we need to continue using art as a tool to ensure peace to achieve our goal.”
The people to people relation is based on tolerance and conviction, she said. “Music is the reflection of passion and love. So that we preach peace via music to build love among the people of the nations,” according to her.
“The artists traveled through Asmara, Keren and Massawa cities and we are so grateful for big turnout of Eritreans while we were preforming on the stage in these respective cities,’’ said Sileshi Demissie aka Gash Abera Molla.
He also said he had been longing to come to Eritrea since the very day of the announcement of Ethio- Eritrea rapprochement .
“The tour has helped the Ethiopian artists to know more about Eritrea and its people,” he noted.
Traveling from Keren to Massawa was like jumping from 2300m height, believed Artist KosiyaTolonga. He experienced the variable altitude and weather difference between the two cities.
“We are here to know Eritreans and consolidate the people to people relation that resumed after decades following the reconciliation between the leaders of our nations.”
TesfayBerhe is from Culture and Sport Commission of Eritrea. He said that the people of Eritrea regardless of sex, age, religion and profession have accompanied Ethiopian cultural troupe in all cities.
As to him, the musical performances have helped tospread the message of peace throughinteracting Ethiopians and Eritreans.
The Ethiopian Herald December 31/2019
BY YOHANES JEMANEH
