From: Ogbazgy A.Asmerom (ogbazgy@gmail.com)
Date: Tue Jun 01 2010 - 07:59:10 EDT
Eritreans in Cincinnati Celebrated 19th Year of Independence
By Ogbazgy A. Asmerom
HAPPY 19th Birthday and YEAR of INDEPENDENCE TO ALL ERITREANS ACROSS THE
GLOBE!
On May 29, 2010, Eritreans and Eritrean-Americans who live in Cincinnati,
Ohio, celebrated the 19th birthday and Anniversary of Eritrean Independence
Day with great fanfare and enthusiasm.
Due to the hard-working efforts, commitment, and dedication of the local
Eritrean National Holidays Coordinating Committee, it was possible to
celebrate Eritrea’s 19th birthday, or the 19th year anniversary of
Independence Day, on May 29, 2010, which happened to be five days after the
actual celebration that took place in Eritrea.
The celebration party took place in the northeastern suburb of Cincinnati,
which is called the City of Bond Hill. The decoration of the Hall was
fantastic. For the first time, the Hall was decorated by Eritrean flags that
were bought from Asmara. The independence slogan for 2010, “bsraH nmkt,
ngsgs”, loosely translated, “Our challenge is through work, and we move on!”
was posted on three corners of the walls.
Before the meal for the evening was served, Ermias Ghebretsadik, a deacon of
the St. Michael Eritrean Orthodox tewahdo Church, offered the opening
prayer.
There were more than 160 people who came to celebrate the 19th birthday of
Eritrean Independence, which is still a milestone in the growth and
development of the new nation. Due to other commitments, Memorial Holiday
weekend activities, and graduation ceremonies out of state, prevented some
people from making it to the celebration party.
Tekle Asgedom, chairperson of the Eritrean Community welcomed the
participants. He praised the dedication, energy, and commitment shown by the
New Executive staff of the Eritrean Community, local representative of the
Eritrean consular affairs in the city, members of the local PFDJ, and the
Executive Staff of the Eritrean National Holidays Coordinating Committee for
making this year’s celebration memorable. He also congratulated the
graduating students and their parents, who were present at the party.
Hadese Alem Ghebrezgiabher, chairperson of the Eritrean National Holidays
Coordinating Committee, welcomed the members of the community. He briefly
stated what independence and freedom meant to all Eritreans.
This year’s 19th birthday party for Eritrea was the best of all the other
birthdays the residents of the city have observed or celebrated. This year
showed Eritrea “becoming an adult, standing strong and self-confident, and
marching forward to do more and achieve more as an adult or grown up
nation.” It really was a memorable day for all of those who came to
celebrate and enjoy the party. Many participants have commented by stating
that this year was the best of all parties.
Abraham Tesfai, through his skills and the aid of his laptop, was able to
show to the audience some of the programs of the celebration that took place
in Asmara on 24 May 2010. Thus, a taped ERI-TV live broadcast of President
Isaias Afwerki’s address to the nation was shown to the audience via DVD.
Due to modern technology and the availability of DVD/laptop, it was possible
to show the taped message in its entirety.
As a yearly tradition, The Eritrean Community Association, through its
Executive Staff, Tekle Asgedom, Hadese Alem, Negisty Redae awarded monetary
gifts to 16 Eritrean students who graduated from High School and College
during the current school year.
Out of the 16 graduates, six students, three who graduated from the local
High schools, and three who graduated from various colleges and universities
in Ohio and New York, were able to be present at the independence
celebration. Their parents also helped in the independence/graduation party.
Thus, the party was a dual occasion and celebration! This was the 1st year
to have the highest number of graduates. The Executive staff congratulated
all of the graduates and wished them the best. These graduates are the
fruits and pride of the Eritrean Community in the city.
As the program progressed throughout the evening, Abraham Tesfai read humors
news items about local events and the community of Eritreans in the city.
Because of his humorous skills, the audience was bursting in laughter and
applause. This is similar to the “Saturday Night News Update!”
Another occasion that really made an impression was the reading and
presentation of several points about Eritrean history and what has been paid
to usher Eritrean independence. Arsiema Haile, 12, read the meaning of the
Eritrean flag, and the symbols of the colors of the flag. Later, Gaim Sereqe
11, read a short history of “Friday in Eritrea”, events that took place on a
Friday.
Tekeste Alem read a poem in Tigrigna, which explained the need to have a
just judgment on the Eritrean political scene by the UNSC. The title of the
poem was “Execute Correct Justice!” He pointed out that Eritrean
independence was not a gift from any temporal power. Thus, a lot was paid to
make Eritrea free and independent.
During the celebration, food and drinks were served. There was a huge
birthday cake that had the following message: “Happy 19th Birthday,
Eritrea!”
Michael Mebrahtu, the local Eritrean DJ, spent the whole evening
entertaining the audience. Michael played several cultural and musical
selections that depict the richness of Eritrean melodies. The party
continued until 12:30 am. Old and young danced to the beautiful melodies of
Tigrigna, Tigre, Saho and other cultural music
The writer of the story affirms that members of the local Eritrean National
Holidays Coordinating Committee: Hadese Alem Ghebrezgiabher, Mehari Tesfai,
Neghisty Tewelde, Zaid Tesfai, and Zegeye Ghebremariam Maru did an excellent
job in planning, organizing, and executing the events of the party. They
have shown what it means to work together and in unison. Each member of the
Committee was given a unique task to perform, and each one has performed
very well.
At the end of the program, the Eritrean National Holidays Coordinating
Committee awarded a plaque to Michael Beyene and his wife, Almaz Mesfin, for
the services, dedication, and commitment they provided to the Eritrean
Community.
Based on the feedback received from some of the participants of the
Independence Day party, this year’s 19th birthday celebration for Eritrea
was the best of all. One clear complaint was the problem with the cooling
system of the Hall.
Also at the end of the evening, petitions to the White House to lift,
repeal, and annul the illegal, unjust, unfair, and illogical UNSC sanctions
signed by participants of the party were collected. The campaign of
collecting petitions against the UNSC sanctions against Eritrea will
continue.
It is expected that next year’s party, the 20th Anniversary of Eritrean
Independence, 2nd decade of freedom, will be better than this year! The
participants of the party stated that the Organizing Committee for the
Eritrean National Holidays has shown its love for Eritrea, the Eritrean
people, and its community!
THE END
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