Samuel Habtab
Photos from the first press conference at the soon-to-be inaugurated CBE headquarters.
Photo Credit: Samuel Habtab
Visual and performing arts are augmented by fashion design in Ethiopia, especially after Kassmasse’s Negen Letizita music video and Betty G’s 2019 Nobel Peace Prize ceremony performance where Ethiopian fashion and visual art designers elevated their professions. Such opportunities provide fashion and set designers exposure to catapult their themselves, but not without sacrifice.
The industry, though seeing advancements, still has its low points. EBR’s Samuel Habtab looks at both up-and-coming as well as established industry players to the assess the confluence of fashion design, culture, and the visual art industry.
Signs bearing a flower and the words “New Beginnings” were seen across the capital ahead of Monday’s ceremony.
“I, Abiy Ahmed Ali, today in the House of People’s Representatives, accept the appointment as prime minister as I pledge to undertake responsibly and with faith to the constitution the responsibility placed upon me by the people,” he said while being sworn in by Supreme Court Chief Justice Meaza Ashenafi.
Photo Credit: Samuel Habtab
Irreecha, is a thanksgiving holiday celebrated at the end of the rainy season and beginning of sunny days. The Oromo people in Ethiopia celebrate Irreecha to thank the almighty Waaqa for the blessings and mercies they have received throughout the previous year. Beautified with special outfits and chants, the Oromo people head to nearby rivers in formation, holding flowers and grass. Oromo women, who have special power in the culture, lead the way to the rivers. Irreecha is celebrated all over Oromia. However, the biggest Irreecha celebration takes place in Bishoftu town about 44km outside of Addis Ababa. Addis Ababa, celebrated Irrecha for the third year today, after 150 years.
Photo Credit: Samuel Habtab
In less than half a century, traditional arts which were the core of the fabric of Addis Ababans, shied away as the capital was flooded by Western cultures and negative governmental pressure. However, few like Fendika Cultural Center, surfed against the odds and have managed to become a museum of traditional art in the center of fast-urbanizing Addis Ababa. Fendika is a repository of genuine traditional music, art, poetry, books, and handicrafts. It is also a hub for tourism and enjoyment, for both foreigners and ethnographic enthusiasts.
Melaku Belay is Founder, Owner, and Manager of Fendika. He is also an acclaimed Dancer, Choreographer, and Founding President of the Ethiopian Dance Association. He made traditional art as strong as gravity in attracting audiences. He is planning on expanding his establishment even further. EBR’s Samuel Habtab visited Fendika and chatted with Melaku and traditional art enthusiasts.
Gone are the days when only humans play story characters. A human character does not have to put on excessive costumes to play the character of legends who passed even before photography was invented. With digital drawing pads, computers, and software programs, two- and three-dimensional visual characters are developed with even more features and abilities than their human counterparts. The only limitation, however, is that digital art cannot replace live theater.
The demand for digitally generated visual artworks is growing in Ethiopia, mainly from film makers, videogame enthusiasts, and visual advertisement agencies. However, there are only few digital artists as not even the traditional art has fully matured in Ethiopia. EBR’s Samuel Habtab, assessed the baby steps digital visual art is taking in Addis Ababa.
