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From: Er-News (er_news@dehai.org)
Date: Tue Jun 07 2011 - 23:09:25 EDT
Eritreans in Cincinnati Celebrated 20th Year of Independence
By Hadese Alem and Sereke Gaim
HAPPY 20th Birthday and INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY TO ALL ERITREANS
ACROSS THE GLOBE!
On May 21, 2010, Eritreans, Eritrean-Americans, and their friends who
live in Cincinnati, Ohio, celebrated the 20th Year 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 Eritreas 20th birthday, 21 May, 2010, which
happened to be three days before the actual day of celebration that
took place on 24 May 2011.
The celebration party took place in the northern suburb of
Cincinnati, which is called North College Hill. The decoration of the
Hall was very attractive. The Hall was decorated by Eritrean flags
that were bought from Asmara. The independence slogan for 2011 is
Perfect Harmony .for National Dignity.
Before the meal for the evening was served, the Eritrean National
Anthem was sung by Eritrean children who studied the anthem while
they were studying Tigrigna and Eritrean history on a weekly basis.
After the opening national anthem, Aboy Qeshi Haile, priest of St.
Michael Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church, offered the opening prayer
and blessing.
There were more than 150 people who came to celebrate the 20th
birthday of Eritrean Independence, which is still a milestone in the
growth and development of the new nation.
Hadese Alem, 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.
Sereke Gaim, Chairperson of the local PFDJ, read the message for
the 20th Year Anniversary of Eritrean Independence day that was sent
by the Eritrean embassy in Washington, DC.
Tekle Asgedom, chairperson of the Eritrean Community, welcomed the
participants. He praised the dedication, energy, and commitment shown
by the members of the Eritrean Holidays Coordinating Committee, the
Eritrean community in the city and parents of the graduating class of
2011 for making this years celebration memorable.
This years 20th birthday party for Eritrea was the culmination of 20
years of hard work, determination, perseverance, sacrifice,
challenges from several corners, and the process of economic
development in every sector of the nation. 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.
Different kinds of poems that explained the meaning of independence
were read by some participants. One moving tribute or homage was very
significant. Shewit Sereke, 15, paid personal tribute to her
tegadalay father, who survived five times of bombings and shootings
by the Ethiopian army when he was in Eritrea. Shewit stated her
father and others fought to make Eritrea free and independent. For
such a heroic act, Shewit said, "dad we love you"!
As a yearly tradition, The Eritrean Community Association, through
its Executive Staff, awarded congratulatory cards to 6 Eritrean
students who graduated from High School and College during the
current school year. Out of the 6 graduates, three graduated from the
local High schools, and three graduated from various colleges and
universities in Ohio and Kentucky.
The independence day party or celebration is a dual celebration, one
for Eritrea and the other for the graduates. The parents of the
graduates also helped in the preparation of the independence/
graduation party. These graduates are the fruits and pride of the
Eritrean Community in the city.
During the celebration, food and drinks were served. Michael
Mebrahtu, the local Eritrean DJ, and another musician, Tekle Lilay,
from Columbus, spent the whole evening entertaining the audience.
Michael and Tekle 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
At the end of the program, the local PFDJ awarded a plaque to Michael
Beyene for the services, dedication, and commitment he provided to
the Eritrean Community by serving as the local Representative of the
Consular Affairs of the Eritrean Embassy in the area.
Based on the feedback received from some of the participants of the
Independence Day party, the 20th birthday celebration for Eritrea was
the reminder of more progress, development and growth that would come
in the future.
Several 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!
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