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CATHERINE W GICHUKI
DOHA
THE Ethiopian Embassy in Qatar in association with the Cultural Village Foundation (Katara) is celebrating Ethiopia's rich traditions and Islamic heritage to mark the 'Ethiopia Day'.
The celebrations featuring an array of events including a photography exhibition in Building 19, and traditional Ethiopian dance and musical performances at the Drama Theatre kicked off on Monday evening.
While the traditional dance and musical performances concluded on Tuesday, the photography exhibition will continue till April 15.
The Katara showcase aims at strengthening cultural ties between Qatar and Ethiopia.
The opening ceremony on Monday was attended by Ethiopian Ambassador to Qatar HE Mesganu Arga Moach, Katara's General Manager Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim al Sulaiti, Ethiopian Minister of Culture and Tourism Dr Hirut Weldemariam, and other dignitaries.
Speaking during the opening ceremony, Ethiopia's culture minister welcomed the 'Ethiopia Day' celebrations in Qatar for the third year, and added,"We will plan a Qatari event like this one in Addis Ababa very soon to showcase Qatar's rich culture. It would be held before the next Ethiopia Day in Doha."
For his part, the Ethiopian ambassador said,"It is a great honour and privilege to be able to showcase Ethiopia's rich and old cultural heritage in Qatar."He also stressed the role played by cultural tourism in improving understanding and strengthening relationships between countries, pointing out that Ethiopia shares good cultural ties with the Gulf countries.
The exhibition features photographs of human evolution, Lucy (fossils of a female dating back 3.2 million ago), the UNESCO sites in Ethiopia, sites related to the country's Islamic heritage and religious manuscripts.
It also includes photographs portraying the day-to-day existence and rituals in a typical Ethiopian household.
The traditional dance performances were presented by dancers prepared by Ethiopia's National Theatre. Dressed in colourful traditional attire, the performers gave a glimpse of Ethiopia's unity in diversity. Ethiopia's unique coffee and traditional bread was served to depict Ethiopia's rich hospitality.
