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Culture and Tourism

Ethiopia Losing Confidence In Italy For Return Of Axum Obelisk: Seyoum

Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin says Ethiopia is losing its confidence in the Italian government that it would return the Axum obelisk to its home country in accordance with the various signed. In a press briefing he gave here at the Bole International Airport upon arrival from Italy on Wednesday Seyoum said 55 years have passed since the Italian government pledged to return the obelisk. During these years the Italian government signed three agreements with Ethiopia on the return of the stele, Seyoum said, adding that the last agreement was signed in 1997. A joint team of experts that facilitate the dismantling and transportation of the obelisk had been established and a scientific study was made on the return of the valuable heritage, the Foreign Minister said.
The next stage that follows after the completion of the study was transporting the stele, Seyoum noted. However, he added, the Italian government failed to give back the obelisk to its rightful by producing various excuses. This, the Foreign Minister said, has triggered a great sense of rage on part of the Ethiopian people and government. "We don't have any belief that the Italian government will return the obelisk in good will," the Foreign Minister said. Hence, he said, the committee for the return of the obelisk has decided to urge the international community to put pressure on Italy to stick to its promises and return the stele to its place of origin. The Foreign Minister has called on the people of Ethiopia both here and abroad to exert utmost efforts for the return of the Axum obelisk, which he described as " an icon of the Ethiopian history".

WIC June 13, 2002

Scientists say Ethiopian Fossils Unify Homo-erectus

Ethiopian and American scientists recently have announced discovery of million-year-old fossils from Ethiopia's Afar Regional State. According to a press release issued by the Middle Awash Research Group, the discovery indicated that a single species of human ancestor, Homo erectus, ranged from Europe to Africa to Asia in the Pleistocene. The fossils were found near the village of Bouri in the Middle Awash study area, about 230 kilometers northeast of Ethiopia's Capital, Addis Ababa, the release says. "The most important of the new Homo erectus fossils is a calvaria (skull lacking the lower face and teeth), found by Berkeley PhD candidate Henry Gilbert on December 27, 1997 on a normally clear day," the release said. The researchers spent two years in the National Museum of Ethiopia laboratory removing the skullcap from the matrix of sediment that had tightly held it for a million years, according to the release. Dr. Berhane Asfaw, lead author on the journal, Nature, described the fossil as one of Ethiopia's most important. To date, seven hominid specimens have been recovered from different Early Pleistocene localities of this age at Bouri, the release said, adding the Homo erectus hominid fossils reported by the team include the calvaria, three thighbones (femora), a shin bone (tibia), and other fragments.

ENA March 20,2002

Young Artist Stages Ethiopian Art Exhibition In France

An art exhibition featuring the life styles, cultures and the harmonious interaction between and among the peoples of Ethiopia was displayed in the Northern French City of "Hardelot". A press release by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs quoting the Ethiopian Embassy in Paris saibd the exhibition by a young Ethiopian Artist which was open to the public for two weeks until June 2,2002 was visited by Ambassador Sahle-Work Zewde who also officiated the opening ceremony, in the presence of officials, public representatives and residents of the French City known for its numerous centers of tourist attractions. According to the Ministry's statement the display by Fikru Gebre-mariam who had some two years ago exhibited his works in Dublin, Ireland, is the first-ever in the City, by an African Artist. Meanwhile, Fikru's works of art along with those of other African artists will be on a two month long display in Paris and a number of other European capitals beginning July 14,2002, it was learnt.

WIC June 5, 2002

Over 5,000 Heritages Registered in Harari

The Culture and Sports Bureau of Harari State disclosed that it has registered more than five thousand movable and non-movable heritages in the State. Bureau Head Salahdin Ahimed said that 82 mosques believed to be 100-800 years old, 4000 ancient houses, coins used in ancient Harar, manuscripts, cultural materials, jewelry and ancient stamps were among the heritages recorded by the Bureau. According to him, detailed studies on the movable and non-movable heritages were underway to find out, among others, their ages and the materials they were made of. Noting that the Harar Town was nominated eight months ago by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as an international heritage, he said a technical committee established with the involvement of the Authority for the Research and Conservation of Cultural Heritages was undertaking activities to help the town's bid to become an international heritage.

WIC May 23, 2002

July 2002 Vol.4 No.2