ADDIS ABABA – A team of artists comprised from different theater clubs performed on peace and stability at secondary schools.
The team’s chairperson, artist Estifanos Kebede said that art is the most influential thing which could and should be utilized as an asset to build a nation, or to reverse negative things like civil war and social chaos. He noted that Addis Ababa Culture and Tourism bureau organize actors from different theatre institutions such as ‘Heger Fikir’ and ‘Children and Youth Theatre’.
“Actors from these different theatre institutions have been acting as a team. The group has been working hard to create awareness on unity, synergy in 20 secondary school compounds, while planning to do their shows in universities and colleges”.
According to him, the very close nature of art to human emotions makes it influential than any other modes of communication. He noted that the team is fully committed to serving the society for free, and is ready to use the conducive environment and commitment of the government to fostering peace, unity and synergy. He further stressed that Ethiopia is endowed with golden indigenous conflict resolution methods, which can promote peace and harmony among nations, nationalities and people, if properly harnessed.
Minister of Peace Muferiat Kamil, on her part said that the sporadic instability seen recently can easily be restored if all the stakeholders, especially the art community, work in collaboration with the government. She noted that the challenges against peace can be easily managed with the active involvement of prominent individuals, religious fathers and the art community. “Addressing this problem is very easy, if such type of prominent individuals stand with us.”
The Minister further stressed that ensuring peace needs collaborative effort of every sect of the society along with government’s efforts. “As artists have the power to thwart hostility and enhance the spirit of love and togetherness, they should work to promote peace and security by emphasizing on values and believes that ties the nation and nationalities together” Muferiat added.
Finally, the Ministry is planning to carry out various mobilization programs in the shape of talk show, literary works and films in a bid to involve citizens in the effort to ensure peace and stability.
The Ethiopian Herald, December 5/2018
BY TAMERU REGASA
