BY HAFTU GEBREGZIABIHER
As part of the celebrations of 125 years of cooperation between France and Ethiopia, the French Embassy and the City of Dire Dawa, under the patronage of the Ethiopian Ministry of Tourism, inaugurated October 24th 2022 at the Dire Dawa train station the “Urban Revival” exhibition realized by the association “Ecole d’Art au Village”, and dedicated to a monument of Ethiopian culture, trade and tourism: the Ethio-French Train.
According to the press release sent to The Ethiopian Herald, the “Urban Revival” exhibition is a documentary and educational project, conceived as a testimony for the contribution of France to the development of key technological infrastructures which have allowed enhancing Ethiopia’s connectivity in many aspects.
Ambassador of France Rémi Maréchaux stated during the event that the Ethio-French train is an essential element of Dire-Dawa’s identity. He underlined that the exhibition deserves being shared with the youngest generation, as a living intergenerational link, and a key asset to promote Dire-Dawa as one of Ethiopia’s exemplary touristic destinations.
Another exhibition, entitled “Children of Dire Dawa: The future of Urban Revival”, held at the Ethio-French Alliance, was inaugurated in the aftermath by the Minister of Tourism of Ethiopia, the French ambassador and the representatives of Dire Dawa administration, in presence of the children of Misrak Jenoch School and children of railway workers’ families who participated in the creation of the graphics and art pieces.
The exhibitions are based on a documentary work including photography, texts and captions on the train and its users by the French photographer Sébastien Cailleux; and drawings by the artists Wendimagegn Gashaw, Selome Muleta and Leikun Nahusenay. They also present pedagogical contents, elaborated by children of Dire Dawa city during cultural and artistic education workshops.
The French Ambassador Rémi Maréchaux expressed France commitments to continue being supportive of Ethiopian local development strategies, including enhancing human capacities with its institutional and educational partners, in a longstanding relationship of confidence.
He also conferred tribute to the City of Dire Dawa administration and to the Minister of Tourism Ambassador Nassise Challi for their enthusiastic involvement on such a special anniversary.
The Ethiopian Herald October 27/2022
