BY BETELHEM BEDLU
“Those of you, who come out committedly to repeat our forefathers’ victory, have already won our hearts. You are our heroes and heroines.”
The above remark came while Bizunesh Meseret, State Minister of Culture and Tourism was addressing a program held in Awash warfront to encourage the National Defense Forces (ENDF) recently.
Mentioning the victorious deeds that the previous generation performed to pass on the nation to this generation, the State Minister said that your commitment and dedication will demonstrate this generation’s readiness to replicate the then victory.
Following the existential campaign that the Ethiopian National Defense Force is undertaking across the country, the art communities are contributing their share through preparing and staging various inspirational programs to members of the national defense forces aiming to show solidarity and encourage the armies.
The taskforce, prior to departing to other fronts to stage its inspirational programs to ENDF in different parts of the country, it performed different programs at the National Theater in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Ministry of National Defense Force and Ministry of Peace.
The program which was part of ‘I will March to safeguard Ethiopia on all fronts, all the time, by all means’ campaign, artists drawn from three theatre houses held different art programs such as poetry, drama, musical and comedy performances at the national theatre. Moreover, around 500 artists donated blood for ENDF.
In the same manner, at different art programs, artists are staging various inspirational programs at warfront.
Among the artists, Yordanos Alemen is the one who performed her program in Wollo Front, Wollo Town with this same motive- to encourage the national force and show solidarity and togetherness with the ENDF.
Approached by the Ethiopian Press Agency, Yordanos noted that art plays a significant role in inflaming the sense of patriotism and emboldening people to protect their country.
“Words could not express how the encouraging artworks that we presented to ENDF made me feel. Media campaigns and creative art works have the capacity to inspire the defense forces. The enthusiastic and warm feeling that the works have created on the national defense force and on the newly prospective graduates at Wollo Front is indescribable.”
Noting that the terrorist group has committed on the members of the ENDF, the massacres against the civilians as well as looting and destruction of properties, the artist stressed that there cannot be any activity that would be more prioritized than inspiring and encouraging those who are willing to sacrify their lives in order to safeguard the nation from enemies.
He said that the main reason for the artists to go to the warfront to showcase solidarity to the ENDF without expecting any payment derives from the patriotic feelings they have for their country, adding that the artists are ready to pay any sacrifice that the nation seeks including to sacrifice their lives.
He further illustrated that they have set a plan to continuously stage the art and creative works in other parts of the warfronts in the country.
Mebere Mengiste, the other artists who presented his works at Wuchale expressed his gratitude that he and his colleagues performed their works at the warfront as well as witnessed the impact that the program yield on the moral of the members of the defense in person.
He also reiterated his readiness to take part in other similar programs that are designed to show commitment to ENDF in other warfronts.
Daniel Wolde Kidane, CEO of Kabilat Ethiopia Printing and Promotion Company noted that the defense force members were overwhelmed and inspired by the program.
During the occasion, the artists performed creative works that echoes the victorious acts of the army, and inspirational programs to encourage the army.
The program was organized by Wub Ethiopia Media and Promotion and Kabilat Ethiopia Printing and Promotion Company, along with artists from Wollo, and Lalibela cities.
The Ethiopian Herald August 19/2021
