ADDIS ABABA- “Our region’s artists and musicians have to harness the power of music and cultural exchange in spreading peace message and in marching towards better future in the Horn of Africa ,’’ members of Eritrean Public Diplomacy said.
Eritrean Cultural Troupe Coordinator Micael Teferi told The Ethiopian Herald that Eritreans and Ethiopians in particular and the peoples of the Horn region in general had suffered a lot due to one of the longest military confrontations in Africa. However, seven month ago, Eritrea and Ethiopia ushered in a new day in the region when they signed peace deal in Asmara.
He, hence, said Eritrean Artists and Musicians have come to Ethiopia to celebrate peace and to play their due role in making the peace restoration sustainable. As to Micael, the existing friendship and peace between Eritrea and Ethiopia will be gold opportunities for both countries’ artists and musicians so long as they use the art for spreading message of love, togetherness, good neighborhood and the like.
“As the peoples of Eritrea and Ethiopia deserve lasting peace and sustainable development, our artists and musicians have to stand in the forefront of realizing these two goals.” For his part, legendary singer Dr. Bereket Mengisteab said when something goes wrong or right in a given society, artists’ role will be informing the situation in a plain artistic language.
This is the main duty of all artists, he said. “We, Eritrean artists and musicians, are so grateful for the warm hospitality of the Ethiopian people from the very day of our arrival in Addis Ababa. Ethiopia is our second home and we will have more cultural and music shows in the future.” The young emerging artists of both countries have to preserve the hard won peace performing great works that last for good and help bringing better future to the posterity , he urged.
Elsa Kidane, one of Eritrean popular women vocalists, said the tour has enabled her to build a deep bond with her Ethiopian fans and made her to realize how much both countries’ peoples missed each other. “We wrapped up our first cultural tour leg successfully, now we are so eager to see the coming of Ethiopian Cultural Troupe to Eritrea soon.” The 2017/18 Shingrwa Academy (Eritrean Singing Competition) Winner Awet Teklemariam said: “I am so lucky to sing songs together with great Eritrean vocalists who have contributed a lot to the growth of Eritrean and African music.”
He also said he is speechless to express the warm welcoming ceremonies in all Ethiopian cities where the Eritrean Cultural troupe staged stunning performances. It is to be recalled that the Eritrean national cultural troupe that had been performing in various Ethiopian cities beginning from February 14, 2019 under the theme: “Cultural Tour for Peace” staged its final performance last Thursday at the Millennium Hall in Addis Ababa.
The Ethiopian Herald, February 26/2019
BY DANIEL BEYENE
