BY KFLEEYESUS ABEBE
It is a time when the culture of reading and writing is severly hampered by the advent of social media and other technolgical related gadgetes. And, many people argue the decline in readership and literacy has contributed for several problems the country is currently facing. Therefore, there have been governmental, institutional and private intiatives building libraries, gathering books and encouraging publications through organizing literary nights and other ways.
Curently, Enat bank is showing a bent to join this intiative of patting on the back readership in the country. The bank introduced National Literary Competition of expressing mother’s love. Ethiopians from every corner and all walks of life are invited to compete by writing a three-page long literary piece about their mother. The amharic word “Enat” has the English equivalent mother and the bank along its banking services is known for advocating women’s rights and the rise of women in leadership. This competition which Enat Bank intiated has the objective of showcasing women’s role in a society.
On the other hand, many people will challenge themselves on how to articulate their respective mother’s love into a three page writing. In a press briefing, Enat Bank Marketing and Customer Service Director Aklil Girma said the competition is part of the bank’s effort “Today, Enat bank launches a competition that align with its mission of supporting societal issues. Now, to show our respect and give recognition for mothers irreplaceable role in a family and country, we have offically launched a writing competition entitled “To My mother”. The competition will be an opportunity for all people to express their love, respect, indebtedness and gratitude to their respective mother in prose form (not verse but could be essay, story, letter what soever)”.
Contestants will be submitting their writing in a nearby branch of the bank or through email. Famous literary critics, artists and literary figures will be deciding who would win this writing competition. They cautioned peoples’ love to their mother is not for competition rather they way of peening down their feelings into paper will be evaluated. Theatrist and writer Tewodros Teklearegay amplifies the competition based on its prospect on encouraging literature and bringing emerging writers to the stage. “Publishing cost is sky rocketing and new writers are not affording to publish their works,” says Tewodros. He said similar competitions would be instrumental for writers to be visible and secure finance to their productions.
The competition will also be a unifying platform as people are divided by a number of issues. Not to mention, there are matrilineal socities in Ethiopia. Women particularly mothers shoulder parenting and many household affairs in Ethiopia. So, Enat or mother is a pillar on which a family stands. In Ethiopia a mother is praised in a number of ways. Mother is a word symbolizing affection or unconditional love. Many associate their mother with their country. It is synonymus to compassion. Men count themeselves blessed to get a girlfriend or a wife that resembles their mothers. The Bank must be thinking of bringing men and people in general abroad to the mentality that upholds the rights and beneficiariness of women who are mothers or prospective mothers.
When it comes to expressing their love to their mothers, Ethiopians are very passionate people. This sentiment is among the dominant issues portrayed in the music, movies and other art works. Ordinary people do not fightshy to express their love to their mothers. Therefore, it is anticipated that many participants will register in this competition. Ethiopian literature is experiencing various difficulties in the meantime. Authors are not getting their due returns and royalities from their works.
There are very few competent writers and readers due to the decline in reading and writing culture. The very expensiveness of paper and publishing materials is also another logjam. As building libraries and donating books are very encouraging moves, it is also vital to come up with readers and inspire new writers through different ways of supporting the rise of literature. Inciting discussion, organizing similar competition, subsidizing publishing costs and facilitating podiums for readers and writers can save Ethiopian literature from ailing.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SATURDAY 13 MAY 2023
