on the 4th of July, Festival Bologna 2014 opened with jubilant celebrations
to mark its 40th anniversary
raimoq.com
on the 4th of July , Festival Bologna 2014 opened with jubilant
celebrations to mark its 40th anniversary, bringing together Eritreans from
all over the world, including the EU, US, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Australia
among other diaspora communities. Welcomed by a corridor of Eritrean youth
saluting with vibrant national flags, His Excellency Minister Woldenkiel
Abraha and other distinguished delegates cut the ribbon to commence the
morning’s opening ceremony. Delegates and attendees then gathered for a
moment of silence for Eritrean martyrs and the national anthem, before
Ambassador Zemede Tecle gave opening remarks highlighting the importance of
previous Bologna festivals to the Eritrean struggle for independence.
Ambassador Tecle praised the exemplary commitment shown during this period
through the sacrifice of Eritrean mothers who played a heroic role in the
community, participated in efforts to bring awareness, and to mobilize
support for Eritrea’s liberation movement.
[image: Opening-Ceremony-Bologna40-620]
Next, Yemene Habtemariam, chair of the Eritrean Community in Bologna,
welcomed the participants to the City of Bologna for yet another successful
and memorable event. in his welcoming speech. Tedros Goitom, a member of
the festival’s coordinating committee, representative of the generation of
Eritreans who have followed in the footsteps of their fore fathers. The
ceremony culminated with a performance from the celebrated Eritrean
cultural troupe “Meqalh” – whose members were part of the Eritrean Peoples
Liberation Front’s (EPLF) ensemble in the series of of festivals held
between 1974-1991. They were then joined on stage by a new generations of
performers.
The Eritrean delegation, members of the diplomatic corps and friends of
Eritrea then toured the festival grounds, visiting tents that represented
the diaspora communities. The exhibitions included pictures and items from
the days of the liberation.
In the afternoon, a seminar was conducted by H.E. Mr. Woldenkiel Abraha,
Minister of Regional Administrators and Mr. Yemane Ghebreab, Head of
Political Affairs at the Peoples Front for Justice and Democracy. Extensive
discussions on the nation’s economic, social and political state were
given. there was also a question and answer session.
https://picasaweb.google.com/111757328464479084254/OpeningCeremonyOfFesivalBologna40?noredirect=1#slideshow/6032265502530728722
Eritrean Festival Bologna 40th Anniversary - Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TseFK22ZqS8
Eritrean Festival Bologna 40th Anniversary - Part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2BJ7h5WOnA
Received on Wed Jul 09 2014 - 03:42:17 EDT