Ethiopian cultural festival staged in Oslo
The Ethiopian Community in Norway | September 1, 2006
The Ethiopian Diaspora in Norway with the exception of the few or handful pro-Meles and greedy sell outs (referred to as Hodams), have been rendering all rounded assistance, the active participants and staunch supporters of the pro-democracy opposition movement in Norway. They have demonstrated their determination and resolve to pursue the struggle for democracy and freedom to its fruitful end in the pro-democracy and anti-tyranny events organized in Oslo. In this regard, special mention should be made of the anti-Yara prize protests that had brought many Ethiopians together.
It is to be recalled that the ceremony of the Yara prize award to the brute dictator, Meles Zenawi took place in Oslo, on the 2nd of September, 2005. The scandalous prize had drawn furious criticisms and condemnations from a wide range of Norwegian political establishments and media forcing the high standing government officials to deny state reception to the tyrant. The award can be remembered as one of the most dishonoring and humiliating events a statesman can encounter in a foreign country. The behavior and mental status of Meles and co., do not allow them to discriminate between the honorable treatment of a statesman and manner of street gangsters. The event has illustrated how low Meles can go to satisfy his egoistic desires in spite of the attendant disgrace and shame.
In addition to the two major opposition groups, the existence of the Ethiopian Community Center and the Ethiopian Common Forum in Norway both located in Oslo, have been instrumental in bringing Ethiopians together to strengthen the bonds connecting them and pursue their common causes. The Community Center caters for all the cultural and social needs of the diaspora in Norway while the Common Forum serves as a platform for dealing with all issues concerning Ethiopia. The Center and the Common Forum work in collaboration with each other and enjoy the active participation and all rounded support of the wider community as a whole.
Besides, demonstrations, protests and vigils in Oslo and other Norwegian cities, the year spanning May 15, 2005 to June 8, 2006 saw significant events organized to commemorate the 1st anniversary of the elections in which Ethiopians rejected tyranny and embraced democracy, freedom and unity. The Ethiopian Common forum in Norway arranged a public meeting on the 13th of May, 2006 to commemorate the anniversary and during the occasion representatives of the opposition groups in Norway reflected on the struggle in Ethiopia and the important role the Diaspora plays in it. Various constructive ideas and views were exchanged during the meeting and it was concluded with renewed commitment and spirit to carry on the struggle until victory over tyranny is achieved in Ethiopia.
Another important event but different in nature, was organized in the form of a one day seminar primarily for the Norwegian political establishment, prominent individuals and Norwegian organizations dealing with issues of democracy and development and the public at large. This was also arranged by the Ethiopian Common Forum in Norway in collaboration with the Norwegian Council for Africa in line with its objective of taking part in activities aimed at promoting democracy, development and human rights in Ethiopia. The topic of the seminar was “ Can Ethiopia Break the Impasse to Democracy? ”. Prominent scholars like Professor Mamo Muchie and Dr. Taye Wolde Semayat and Norwegian researchers in the areas of democracy and human rights and expertise on Ethiopia were the invited guest speakers at the seminar.
The seminar was a success in revealing the political crises and the atrocities being committed by the despotic Meles regime to the Norwegian public and politicians. Important considerations regarding the struggle ahead were also raised and deliberated on, stressing the indispensability of democratizng the political system of the country. The wide ranging discussions, ideas and views reflected in the seminar can serve as a milestone in charting the way ahead in our struggle. Flyers highlighting the political crises, appalling violations of human rights and calling on Norway (including the entire Western World) to make a constructive engagement via aligning themselves with Ethiopians struggling for democracy and freedom, were distributed to the audience. Posters revealing the gruesome and shocking atrocities committed by the tyrannical regime were put on display to the audience. The seminar was in fact preceded by an intensive lobby work raising the awareness of Norwegian parliamentarians, politicians and policy makers about the current political crisis in Ethiopia and the appalling human rights violations committed by the Meles regime.
The end of the summer is approaching in Norway and the short Norwegian summer will be over shortly. The Ethiopian Community in Norway had planned to organize and hold an Ethiopian Cultural festival in Oslo as part of its programs to promote and retain our rich cultural heritage in Norway and acquaint Norwegians with our diverse and rich culture and tradition. The position of Ethiopians is clear and that is we do not want to keep our cultures and traditions to ourselves only but would want to share it with others too.
The Cultural festival was held on Saturday 26, 2006 from 12:00 to 18.00 local time in Oslo. The site of the festival was a public park within the proximity of down town Oslo, about 20 minutes walking from the main train station. The festival has its own committee consisting of both women and men who did a meticulous planning for it and the efforts and planning payed off. Oslo had a fine and pleasant weather that day which was taken as a luck since rains had been common in much of August, 2006. Formal invitations were distributed and sent to both Ethiopians and Norwegians some days ahead of the festival to attract as many visitors as possible.
When the time came, beautiful tents had already been erected and all the things meant for the festival were in place and in order at the festival site ready for the display of the day. Ethiopian handcrafts, works of art, souvenirs and paintings were put for public display occupying their own corner and the festival site got transformed and looked like one of Ethiopian. Pictures displaying the natural beauty and varied landscapes of Ethiopia were also put up in one corner of the festival. Our original flag, as the ever living symbol of our independence and unity, was made visible at the site and it added to colorfulness and splendor of the occasion.
The Norwegian flag was not forgotten. The site arrangement of the festival was such that different spots were assigned to the events in order to allow convenient and smooth movement of the public wishing to inspect all the items on display and get explanations.
The festival was formally opened by a speech made by ato Atnafu WoldeMariam in which he mentioned the rich cultural and traditional diversity present in Ethiopia and introduced the country to the Public briefly. The Oslo based Yared Music band of country loving Ethiopians, was responsible for the music stage and entertained the public with lovely and emotion stirring Ethiopian traditional and folk music. The festival included traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony serving warm coffee in our typical cups and displaying of traditional spinning of cotton used for weaving our colorful traditional cloths. Many Ethiopians (both men and women) were in these traditional cloths which also attracted the sight of the public. Traditional Ethiopian dishes also added to the attractions of the event and the long line of the public to test the food proves the uniqueness of our traditional dishes.
The event brought together Ethiopians from all age groups who performed folk and traditional dances and drew clapping and applauds from the public. The performers wore colorful outfits while singing and dancing to the various rhythms representing some of the numerous ethnic groups which constitute Ethiopia. The Ethiopian traditional guitar (Kirar) was also played. An exciting and wonderful scene replete with a series of cultural dances and performances representing the different Ethiopian ethnic groups had just increased the public appetite for more of them. The staging of the event had attracted a big crowd of Ethiopians and curious Norwegians who enjoyed the occasion and found it to be educational and entertaining.
This was not the only occasion that gave Ethiopians the opportunity to acquaint the Norwegian public and others with Ethiopian dishes. There happened to be another event the Next day, Sunday August 27, 2006 in another part of Oslo where around 33 nations could present and introduce their traditional dishes and Ethiopians also seized the occasion to do so successfully. This occasion also attracted curious and interested public who appreciated the diversity that has been enriching Norway.
The devotion and zeal our patriotic women have shown deserves special mention in this regard. The Festival would not be a success without their energetic, enthusiastic and whole hearted drive and involvement. Ethiopians and friends of Ethiopia have had amazing, very entertaining and joyful festival in Oslo and we felt proud to be part of this magnificent heritage that brought forth the admirable and wonderful face of Ethiopia. The festival afforded Ethiopians an opportunity to communicate to the public the fact that Ethiopia is not all about famine, misery and poverty, but is also about one of the ancient civilizations of mankind and legacies of rich cultural heritage and thriving traditions. It was amazing to see jubilant crowds with festive mood and the cultural festival came to an end at 6:00 p. m. or 18:00 local time.
The Ethiopian Community in Norway.
ETHIOMEDIA.COM - ETHIOPIA'S PREMIER NEWS AND VIEWS WEBSITE
© COPYRIGHT 20001-2006ETHIOMEDIA.COM. EMAIL: webmaster@ethiomedia.com
The Ethiopian Diaspora in Norway with the exception of the few or handful pro-Meles and greedy sell outs (referred to as Hodams), have been rendering all rounded assistance, the active participants and staunch supporters of the pro-democracy opposition movement in Norway. They have demonstrated their determination and resolve to pursue the struggle for democracy and freedom to its fruitful end in the pro-democracy and anti-tyranny events organized in Oslo. In this regard, special mention should be made of the anti-Yara prize protests that had brought many Ethiopians together.
It is to be recalled that the ceremony of the Yara prize award to the brute dictator, Meles Zenawi took place in Oslo, on the 2nd of September, 2005. The scandalous prize had drawn furious criticisms and condemnations from a wide range of Norwegian political establishments and media forcing the high standing government officials to deny state reception to the tyrant. The award can be remembered as one of the most dishonoring and humiliating events a statesman can encounter in a foreign country. The behavior and mental status of Meles and co., do not allow them to discriminate between the honorable treatment of a statesman and manner of street gangsters. The event has illustrated how low Meles can go to satisfy his egoistic desires in spite of the attendant disgrace and shame.
In addition to the two major opposition groups, the existence of the Ethiopian Community Center and the Ethiopian Common Forum in Norway both located in Oslo, have been instrumental in bringing Ethiopians together to strengthen the bonds connecting them and pursue their common causes. The Community Center caters for all the cultural and social needs of the diaspora in Norway while the Common Forum serves as a platform for dealing with all issues concerning Ethiopia. The Center and the Common Forum work in collaboration with each other and enjoy the active participation and all rounded support of the wider community as a whole.
Besides, demonstrations, protests and vigils in Oslo and other Norwegian cities, the year spanning May 15, 2005 to June 8, 2006 saw significant events organized to commemorate the 1st anniversary of the elections in which Ethiopians rejected tyranny and embraced democracy, freedom and unity. The Ethiopian Common forum in Norway arranged a public meeting on the 13th of May, 2006 to commemorate the anniversary and during the occasion representatives of the opposition groups in Norway reflected on the struggle in Ethiopia and the important role the Diaspora plays in it. Various constructive ideas and views were exchanged during the meeting and it was concluded with renewed commitment and spirit to carry on the struggle until victory over tyranny is achieved in Ethiopia.
Another important event but different in nature, was organized in the form of a one day seminar primarily for the Norwegian political establishment, prominent individuals and Norwegian organizations dealing with issues of democracy and development and the public at large. This was also arranged by the Ethiopian Common Forum in Norway in collaboration with the Norwegian Council for Africa in line with its objective of taking part in activities aimed at promoting democracy, development and human rights in Ethiopia. The topic of the seminar was “ Can Ethiopia Break the Impasse to Democracy? ”. Prominent scholars like Professor Mamo Muchie and Dr. Taye Wolde Semayat and Norwegian researchers in the areas of democracy and human rights and expertise on Ethiopia were the invited guest speakers at the seminar.
The seminar was a success in revealing the political crises and the atrocities being committed by the despotic Meles regime to the Norwegian public and politicians. Important considerations regarding the struggle ahead were also raised and deliberated on, stressing the indispensability of democratizng the political system of the country. The wide ranging discussions, ideas and views reflected in the seminar can serve as a milestone in charting the way ahead in our struggle. Flyers highlighting the political crises, appalling violations of human rights and calling on Norway (including the entire Western World) to make a constructive engagement via aligning themselves with Ethiopians struggling for democracy and freedom, were distributed to the audience. Posters revealing the gruesome and shocking atrocities committed by the tyrannical regime were put on display to the audience. The seminar was in fact preceded by an intensive lobby work raising the awareness of Norwegian parliamentarians, politicians and policy makers about the current political crisis in Ethiopia and the appalling human rights violations committed by the Meles regime.
The end of the summer is approaching in Norway and the short Norwegian summer will be over shortly. The Ethiopian Community in Norway had planned to organize and hold an Ethiopian Cultural festival in Oslo as part of its programs to promote and retain our rich cultural heritage in Norway and acquaint Norwegians with our diverse and rich culture and tradition. The position of Ethiopians is clear and that is we do not want to keep our cultures and traditions to ourselves only but would want to share it with others too.
The Cultural festival was held on Saturday 26, 2006 from 12:00 to 18.00 local time in Oslo. The site of the festival was a public park within the proximity of down town Oslo, about 20 minutes walking from the main train station. The festival has its own committee consisting of both women and men who did a meticulous planning for it and the efforts and planning payed off. Oslo had a fine and pleasant weather that day which was taken as a luck since rains had been common in much of August, 2006. Formal invitations were distributed and sent to both Ethiopians and Norwegians some days ahead of the festival to attract as many visitors as possible.
When the time came, beautiful tents had already been erected and all the things meant for the festival were in place and in order at the festival site ready for the display of the day. Ethiopian handcrafts, works of art, souvenirs and paintings were put for public display occupying their own corner and the festival site got transformed and looked like one of Ethiopian. Pictures displaying the natural beauty and varied landscapes of Ethiopia were also put up in one corner of the festival. Our original flag, as the ever living symbol of our independence and unity, was made visible at the site and it added to colorfulness and splendor of the occasion. The Norwegian flag was not forgotten. The site arrangement of the festival was such that different spots were assigned to the events in order to allow convenient and smooth movement of the public wishing to inspect all the items on display and get explanations.
The festival was formally opened by a speech made by ato Atnafu WoldeMariam in which he mentioned the rich cultural and traditional diversity present in Ethiopia and introduced the country to the Public briefly. The Oslo based Yared Music band of country loving Ethiopians, was responsible for the music stage and entertained the public with lovely and emotion stirring Ethiopian traditional and folk music. The festival included traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony serving warm coffee in our typical cups and displaying of traditional spinning of cotton used for weaving our colorful traditional cloths. Many Ethiopians (both men and women) were in these traditional cloths which also attracted the sight of the public. Traditional Ethiopian dishes also added to the attractions of the event and the long line of the public to test the food proves the uniqueness of our traditional dishes.
The event brought together Ethiopians from all age groups who performed folk and traditional dances and drew clapping and applauds from the public. The performers wore colorful outfits while singing and dancing to the various rhythms representing some of the numerous ethnic groups which constitute Ethiopia. The Ethiopian traditional guitar (Kirar) was also played. An exciting and wonderful scene replete with a series of cultural dances and performances representing the different Ethiopian ethnic groups had just increased the public appetite for more of them. The staging of the event had attracted a big crowd of Ethiopians and curious Norwegians who enjoyed the occasion and found it to be educational and entertaining.
This was not the only occasion that gave Ethiopians the opportunity to acquaint the Norwegian public and others with Ethiopian dishes. There happened to be another event the Next day, Sunday August 27, 2006 in another part of Oslo where around 33 nations could present and introduce their traditional dishes and Ethiopians also seized the occasion to do so successfully. This occasion also attracted curious and interested public who appreciated the diversity that has been enriching Norway.
The devotion and zeal our patriotic women have shown deserves special mention in this regard. The Festival would not be a success without their energetic, enthusiastic and whole hearted drive and involvement. Ethiopians and friends of Ethiopia have had amazing, very entertaining and joyful festival in Oslo and we felt proud to be part of this magnificent heritage that brought forth the admirable and wonderful face of Ethiopia. The festival afforded Ethiopians an opportunity to communicate to the public the fact that Ethiopia is not all about famine, misery and poverty, but is also about one of the ancient civilizations of mankind and legacies of rich cultural heritage and thriving traditions. It was amazing to see jubilant crowds with festive mood and the cultural festival came to an end at 6:00 p. m. or 18:00 local time.
The Ethiopian Community in Norway.
ETHIOMEDIA.COM - ETHIOPIA'S PREMIER NEWS AND VIEWS WEBSITE
© COPYRIGHT 20001-2006ETHIOMEDIA.COM. EMAIL: webmaster@ethiomedia.com
