Books he authored: Epic, Pushkin and his Genealogy, Dirsha…
Dr. Taddele is one of the notable authors and poets in the country. He had authored more than thirteen literary books. Especially, Epic is one of his books that comprises poetic literary works across the globe. He has translated several masterpieces of renowned authors into Amharic. The Ethiopian Herald had a time of while with Taddele Gedlie (PhD)
The Ethiopian Herald: How did you join Journalism?
Dr. Taddele Gedlie: I joined journalism not for the sake of money but for labor of love. It is my calling. The field provokes one’s passion for literature. Literature and journalism cross fertilize each other. It was that way I made author-poet and a journalist out of myself. Back to your question, In addition, being a journalist is tantamount to being a voice to the voiceless. It helps one to know more and read lots of things. Though journalism was started here during the reign of emperor Menelik II, It is not yet seen well developed and serving all with impartiality.
Nowadays, there are two forms of journalism in the country. The government owned ones in one hand and private media on the other hand. The government Media outlets are seen confining themselves on the current issues of the country and image building. On the other end of the scale, the private Media outlets are working only on sensational issues, which could create chaos and violence among ethnic groups and religions in the country.
Such trends are off the track of the principles of the journalism. Every journalist should be governed by the principles of journalism. Journalism makes one to dig deep a lot and as such imbibe lots of things. So, journalist should read and know more. They have to work on the furtherance of the co-existences of the society.
Personally, I have crisscrossed the country. I have learned lots of culture, norms, and ethics. So, being a journalist to me is a pleasure.
Herald: How did you observe the current level of journalism in Ethiopia?
Dr. Taddele: The reformed government has wide opened its door for journalism. Compared to the previous time, press freedom is thriving in the country. But journalism being practiced in the country these days is more of a market oriented one. It leans on sensational grounds.
Especially, private media outlets are seen belaboring issues that could cause ethnic and religious conflicts among citizens. So, this is not journalism. They should abide by the principles of journalism and respect the profession. Being a journalist is an outlet for pentad up voices. Journalists must be peace agents not evil doers that sow a seed of discord. In addition, the profession makes journalist a bridge among the societies by introducing the culture and norms of one to others. Both the print and broadcasting media of the country should come out of provocative news. Though we were beginners of civilization, currently we are lagging behind. We are seen lagging behind modern sciences and technologies. We need a media that could bring us all together and inspire us to build a great nation.
Herald: What is your take on the inclusiveness of the Art works in Ethiopia?
Dr. Taddele: I do not think our arts have all-inclusiveness. The previous arts are much better. They captured the life and leadership styles of the then society. The current arts are mainly focused on blaming one another. Even the languages used are not palatable.
This has happened due to two things. The first reason is the absence of a reading culture. The current generation has not nurtured a reading culture to the required level. If you do not read you cannot write. Second is the education system, the education system in the country has changed nothing except increasing hate and racism. In developed countries, students are advised to read their history and literary books. Here, students are thought nothing but chitchatting nonsense issues. So, the government should focus on creating a generation that loves reading.
In addition, we have to teach our past histories to our children. Books should be the wealth we must bequeath to the coming generation. One reason why the country stayed undeveloped resides in the gap in the low profile reading and writing culture of the country If one wants to see all-inclusiveness in art works, one has to come up with a generation that has knowledge about the harmony and beauty of the country.
Herald: What should be done to create a generation that loves reading?
Dr. Taddele: There should be a societal change in the country. In the past, ministers and leaders were great writers. Following suit, the people they lead were avid readers and writers too. But these days ministers and leaders are not seen doing so.
Due to the unavailability of adequate public libraries in the cities and towns of the country, most people are seen whiling too much time in cafeterias discussing nonsensical issues. The government should build additional public libraries that could motivate the generation to read. Nowadays youngsters are only running after money. But what they do not know is that money comes from thought and thought comes from reading.
Media should work on creating awareness. There should be art clubs in schools, localities, and universities, among others. In Russia there is a proverb that goes “In every Russian girl’s bag, there is a book of Alexander Pushkin or Nicolay Gogol.” This saying testifies how they love reading. That is the secret behind the development of Russia. We Ethiopians have to emulate them in this regard.
Art creates conflict using fictional characters and things. It does not directly borrow such things right from our surroundings. But few writers in the country are deliberately writing books to subtely instigate conflicts and chaos among the spectrum of ethnic groups in the country. This is one of the reasons that kills reading appetite. Art is a bridge that connects citizens. It must not be used to put different ethnic groups asunder.
The authors should have peace within themselves. Some authors are in conflict with themselves. They suffer identity crisis. Whenever we read we have to select books that could influence us in positive way. Art is a neutral, should continue neutral.
The only way to develop is reading. So, all of us should work hand-in-glove to change and develop the country through reading.
Herald: Some are heard blaming the education system for the deterioration of art in Ethiopia, what do you say about that?
Dr. Taddele: I am part of those groups who lampoon the education system of Ethiopia saying that is responsible to the loss of luster in the country’s art. Students were deliberately kept aloof from the history of the country. Once, while fellow students and I were learning in Russia, Russian students asked us about our heroes but only few managed to answer that. While others are learning our history, ironic as it may sound the reformed government stricken out Ethiopian history courses from universities and schools.
The government underplayed Ethiopian history and striped citizens of their foothold. No one is researching history. Though we have a democratic leadership like Gada system and literate packed with pun and irony, we are running after westerns. We cannot develop and transform a country relying on such damaging education system.
The current education system should be replaced by the indigenous education system to bring a grass root change in Ethiopia. Others will respect us only if we respect our culture and identity.
I love my country Ethiopia. Before the country go down the precipice I have to suggest what I think as a solution. Love and respect for each other, happiness of co-existence are what we should encourage in Ethiopia to be enduring. Ethiopia is a peace loving country that fought tooth and nail to remain uncolonized. As such we are the pride of the whole black race. But we are being colonized by different policies and systems. If we want to grow as a country, we have to pick what we have thrown.
In addition, we have to outgrow ethnic obsessions. We have to think globally and recognize where we are. Still we are at the back. Let us wake up and work for the betterment of Ethiopia and pass down to the coming generation a developed country.
Herald why is that many Ethiopians like Russian Literature?
Dr.Tadle Yes that is true. Many Ethiopian cherish Russian books translated in Amharic. We have religious and cultural similarities. Their writings are not culturally remote from us. Besides they have world renowned authors like Dostoevsky, Tolstoy and Pushkin among others.
The Ethiopian Herald Sunday June 9, 2019
BY AMBO MEKASA
