BY KFLEEYESUS ABEBE
‘Fiker Eske Mekaber’ is a pioonering and one of best selling Amharic novel portraying love between members of the nobility and the working class. The book became famous as it brought Ethiopian rural life with authencity, originality and influence during the emergence of modernity in Ethiopia. ‘Fiker Eske Mekaber’ also portrayed the nature of feudalism in Ethiopia and its impact on the lives of people at the time. Since its release, people never miss mentioning the book while talking about Ethiopia literature. It is not an exaggeration to say it has set a standard in Amharic literature. It is a literary work that influenced Ethiopia in many ways. Like other parts of the world, it was cusomary in Ethiopia to examplify strong love with William Shakespeare’s characters: Romeo and Juliet. But Haddis Alemayehu’s Fiker Eske Mekaber’ was successful as it replaced Romeo and Juliet
with local name Seblewongel and Bezabeh. The book has been translated to English by Sisay Ayenew titled ‘Love Unto Crypt. It is also narated by the famous theatrist and radio host Wegayehu Nigatu. Now, this much-loved novel is to appear on the screen. The National TV, Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation signed deal with cinematoprapher Sewmehon Yismaw and his company Sewmehon Films ito adapt it into drama series.Sewmehon is an emerging cinematographer with notable works like African festival preimerd short film “Ewir Amora Kelabi”, feature film Sewnetwa, the recent captivating music clip “Enatwa Gondar”and others.
Signing the deal Sewmehon said the crew would try to understand the gest of the story and other works would be easy. Assistant professor, Theatrist Nebiyu Baye says it would be a huge project since many people like the novel upto wondering what would the characters look like in cinema. “Many young Ethiopians have read or listened narration of the novel and have their own mental picture of the characters. They are eager to see thebook characters into life ( movie charcters). They would be wondering what Seblewongel and Bezabih looks like. How the director brings the time to life.”
CEO of Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation Fessiha Yetagesu says the adaptation of ‘Fiker Eske Mekaber’ is part of advancing the corporation in terms of content and style. He is hopeful that this project will attract more viewers to the channel. “We know that Ethiopian Radio narration of the book by Wegayehu Nigatu has raised the level of prominence to the novel. Through translation, the novel has reached across Ethiopia. We believe the book has a lot to give for this generation too. We have been thinking of bringing ‘Fiker Eske Mekaber’ into drama series for long. Now we are at crucial stage of signing a deal with film company. The drama series will make us competitive in the market.”
The drama is projected to have four seasons and 48 episodes. The Ethiopian Herald learnt that families of Haddis Alemayehu appealed for patent right about the creation of “Fiker Eske Mekaber” into cinema. If this is sorted out and “Fiker Eske Mekaber” appeared on cinema, it will be a historic project with acclamation or critics. What is for certain is the book is deserving and adaptation of books into cinema is what Ethiopian cinema should culture as larger audience needs to get thoughts that are shared by different literatures.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SATURDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2023
