BY: KFLEEYESUS ABEBE
The embassy of France had been celebrating the 125th anniversary of its relation with Ethiopia with assortment of programs. The visit of French officials and dignateries to Ethiopia, workshop on health initatives, roundtable discussions on French language in Ethiopia and francophone week and competition were part of the celebration.
Ambassador of France to Ethiopia Remi Maréchaux said the celebration had taken longstanding and multifaceted relation of the two countries into account. “Ethiopia hosts our oldest cultural center in Africa, the Alliance Ethio-Française, created in 1908, and one of our oldest schools in Africa, the Ethio-French Lycée Ghebrevaryan, created in 1948, and which has more than 10,000 Ethiopian alumni. The depth and diversity of our relations was celebrated all year long through a series of events focusing on the French language in Amarigna, education, archaeology and heritage, press, music, cinema, architectures, technology and literature.”
The ambassador stressed that the celebrationis happening with the spirit of strengthening this longstanding relation. “We did not decide to celebrate the past due to some kind of nostalgia. We did it in order to build on it for the next 125 years and beyond.” On the closure of the celebration, the embassy organized award ceremony for contestsants who embellished the outside wall of the embassy with their creative graphic art works.
The paintings of each contestants were expected to maintatin artistic beauty with messages of friendship of the two countries. Indeed, they were attractive and thought-provoking to visitors. France’s national motto ‘Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité and the history of the two countries were displayed with abstract and other techniques. As all contestants were celebrated and given certificate of appreciation, while top ranking artists given different prizes. Basleal Mamo, Solomon Kebede, and Tesfa Mariam who stood 5th, 4th and 3rd respectively were allowed to organize a group exhibition at the Alliance Ethio-Française, while second place holder Mahlet Negedeyesus is offered an individual exhibition organized by the Alliance Ethio-Française. Mussie Belachew is the winner of the the competition and will take part in a week long art training program in France, all-expense were covered by BGI Ethiopia.
Mussie is a graduate of urban planning from Mekele University but he chose to do what his heart falls for. He does graphic designs opening his own company. The competition came unexpectedly for him. Encouraged by friends, Mussie registered to the competition online and sent his sketch. His final painting is inspired by prominent French painter Eugène Delacroix’s work Liberty Leading the People. He also showed France’s sense or spirit of brotherhood by including a torch from statue of liberity, which France presented to USA. Therefore, Mussie was successful displaying all national motto of France and craterion of the competition in his painting.
Mussie thinks the award will be a boost to his future works. “ I have never won a competition before. This is the first one. It is a special moment for me. I am happy and I think this will boost my confidence. And, confidence and acceptance are crucial for success of artists.” He advises youths to do what they love and to chase their dreams. “ I would say young people should be engaged in things they have strong desire. But I am not saying they shouldn’t study. I began painting, while I was studying. I was doing it in the classroom. It grew from that. They can simultaenously study and do things that inspired them. So, they should carry on without being discouraged.”
As to Mussie, Ethiopians recieve art positively and show their appreciation in different ways. “ I can say Ethiopians’ attitude towards art is very encouraging. There are many artists with nice paintings on canvas. People are buying their art products. Even print art works like that of mine which are unusual to visitors are being sold and appreciations are flooding in various ways. People encourage artists through commenting on social media or telling their feedback in person. So, it is very much motivating. ” By persisiting his art work, he wants to familarize graphic art locally and make a name for himself and his country internationally. His visit to France, which is “the land of art,” home of enlightment and noteworthy artists, will be consequential, he believes.
Art is a strong tool of cultural diplomacy that can remind the past, be a source of motivation for today and guide the future to build upon and keep friendship alive. France has influenced Ethiopian modern art by offering scholarship to Ethiopian artists such pioneering the naturalist writer Sebhat Gebre-Egziabher and organizing exhibition at Alliance Ethio-Française. The Ethio-French relation began on March 20,1897 when Leonce Lagarde signed with Menelik II a friendship treaty recognizing the independence of Ethiopia, which marked the beginning of a strong friendship embodied in several domain. In 1907, Emperor Menelik II gave France its largest embassy in the world with 106 acres. In 1917, a railroad was built between Djibouti and Addis Ababa.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD WEDNESDAY 22 MARCH 2023
