BY ALAZAR SHIFERAW
(Written from the horse’s mouth style/ Alemtsehay Wodajo)
Astonishingly, today as before Ethiopia has versatile-female -shining stars. But sometimes odd ideas cross my mind. On such occasions I ask myself why do not all Ethiopians take the initiative of building Empress Taytu Bitul’s Educational and Cultural Center? I believe, this should be all Ethiopians’ concern.
I reflected that most of the time, books and articles on the Battle of Adwa and its victory were written by male authors. But the Queen’s incomparable role was not magnified, I feel sorry, said artist Alemtsehay Wodajo.
Having conceived staging Empress Taiytu’s theater in mind, I left my country. She is always in my heart. Unfortunately, I left Ethiopia some 28 years ago. Meanwhile, the American Embassy Public Relation at that time: John Bernice gave me a book revolving around the deeds of Empress Taytu and Menelik II, expressing his wish to see me on stage playing out Taytu’s character.
After I read the book, my knowledge about her bravery and life motivated me to know more about her.
She promised to myself, perhaps sad many people were made to know and authors start to write about the great queen’s biography, it would have been obvious how much people might have given due credit, respect and pride to her, of course.
But a lot of her heroic deeds remain hidden and not narrated enough. I guessed that latter writers may not have enough information and that was why those writers did not write and speak about Taitu’s patriotic deeds. That is why I took the initiative and ventured to establish the heroic queen Empress Taitu’s memorial ;educational and cultural center at Addis Ababa.
“Surprisingly, along with my contemporaries, I had passed through many ups and downs to give birth to the Empress’ center, daunting obstacles had been erected on my way .
On the other hand, in connection with my profession aspect; arts, history, carrier, and career, along with my professional colleagues, we had produced nearly 62 theaters.
We had been crisscrossing America moving to 17 American states including Canada and Australia annually.
As a result, we had managed to organize over 280 shows on the stage. Moreover, without a let up, at the end of every month, we have been staging poems for the past 21 years now. Many author-poets like laureate Tsegaye Gebremedhin , Solomon Deress , Seyifu Metaferian, Mamo Wodneh did present their poetic-masterpieces to the audience.
Moreover, we have been facilitating conditions and platforms for novice and young authors, to promote their works. As a whole, we had been working hard and helping Ethiopian origin citizens in stepping up their reading and writing culture indeed.”
Moreover, every November, they invite a wide-array of professionals aiming at letting the diasporas know and learn about Ethiopian culture mainly literature. In addition ,they had been organizing workshops for media workers , journalists make- up editors , play performers and researchers on language too .
Besides, they have managed to establish the first Amharic Library in USA to promote the reading culture of the community, to fill awareness gaps, to conduct follow ups, to bridge the current information gaps among Ethiopian diasporas.
Significantly, in collaboration with other organizations, “We tried to prevail on the USA government to make Amharic language the working language and to be offered like one of the subjects in the universities.
This and other wide- range of duties were accomplished. But there was no institution, which can support us in terms of budgets or capacity building. It was a demanding task.
Each individual had been paying a lot for the success of these holy duties. But, as a result of our unflagging rigorous efforts , We could receive over 55 praises from mayors, governors , congress men, among other, social organizations,
Above all, thanks to Almighty God , I am in my motherland today and could materialize my dream the looked-forward Empress Tayiu’s center though there was no budget, assigned workers and institutions. Nonetheless; “ Here I see unfinished works though it has budget, institution and assigned labor force.” But, withstanding the above-mentioned challenges, they could run the project through volunteers, youths, board members and individuals who love their country.
Besides, they managed to establish similar associations in other countries too. However, challenges like hotel expenditures, air tickets, hall rent are so expensive.
Among other things, to prepare a theater, one has to come face to face, but it was via telephone we studied theaters. Everything was done through telephone. But in America, make ups, light decoration; stage designs have their own separate job descriptions. Nevertheless “I was not confined to a specific duty,” I was acting as a writer, play performer and producer.
There was too much hustle and bustle to win lives.” Because, my collogues have to work to win their livelihood, earn for house rent and educate their children. Income generating was the other challenge. Their expenditure was much more than our income, she said.
For example while they were preparing Macbeth – Shakespeare Theater, many friends advised me not to spend much; fearing high financial expenditure. They wanted to stage a small show. But when we performed Shakespeare’s theater, we spent about 11,800 USD. But, I paid a lot of sacrifices in -terms of health and finance, my friends too.
Moreover, it had been 28 years since I left my country. It was so long. But ‘Ethiopia is always in my heart. But “I feel sorry, because I could not serve and get country’s service too.” It was long years away. Now I have returned to my home. “I found them as usual and some theater houses are dilapidated and seriously damaged.
But I would be happy if more activities have been made, especially on media and artistic works. “I guess, if this had not been so, we could not observe the present condition.” Hate speeches and fake news would not have been rampant.
It is really shameful. If utilizing media, art and other professions was given a priory task, it would have been possible to overturn citizens’ bad attitudes and the constructed buildings, citizens’ lives would not have passed and mass properties suffered conflagrations.
Hence, let the media houses, artists, writers and the community take their part and be front liners to educate and sensitize the community, stand together for the sake of Ethiopians’ unity and sovereignty and to bring attitudinal changes. Let the destructives know that development comes not by separation but through unity, she stressed.
Today the question of unity, apart from Ethiopia, has become the issue of many countries in the world. Unification adds strength. Some citizens must not promote disintegration and division. Hence “We have to be ever-aware of the public mindset, teach respectfulness also learn tolerance, love, forgiveness, excuse.”
Ethiopia can learn a lot from America and other developed countries on how to use migrants’ knowledge, labor and innovative mind for their countries’ development. Importantly, Ethiopia has over 80 ethnic diversity, which has wonderful culture, language, costumes among others lifestyles. But this diversity is our beauty; it should not be a source of conflict. As far as I know, Ethiopian citizens are so sociable, affectionate and respectful.
Regarding honored Dr. Tilahun’s Ethiopia song verse artist Alemtsehay said as it has encapsulated concepts of national importance, many people are inspired. National defense forces, generals, soldiers, collogues, renewed poets sing it as the national anthem.
“I got very surprised and fell happy. Particularly, when most honored Dr. Tilahun Gessese’s CD was inaugurated recently, participants’ were emotional that touched my heart. “I thank all the song composers. I wrote it about Ethiopia.”
Alemtsehay had studied theater, took various trainings in different countries. She had visited many European countries. That had helped her to widen her world outlook. She has got BA degree in Business Administration. Yet, she never backpedaled from theatrical art. “I must keep abreast with the modern world and educate myself. I read to acquire knowledge,” she says
She also said Artist honored Dr. Tilahun Gessese was a great artist. Luckily, she knows him starting from at the early ages. “I am proud of him. He is a gifted vocalist. He passionately loves his country . Yes, he is a precious and beloved Ethiopian.”
The Ethiopian Herald March 14/2021
