|
The 4th Eritrean Festival in
full swing
In this brief summary, we are giving our readers a glimpse of the main
events and an out line of the program schedule as they took place. A
detail of the contents of the presentations, speeches, and events will
follow on the coming few days.
Woldu Negasi, chair of the Chicago and surrounding branch as well as
member of the Zoba East leadership opened the festival with a brief
welcome remark. That set the stage for day and his big smile was an
indication that the festival is a very successful one.
Alem Yohannes, the coordinator of the preparatory committee of the
festival and chair of the program for the day introduced Habtemariam
Kifle, chair of EDA board. Habte (as his friends call him) briefed the
audience on how EDA came into being and its goals and objectives. He
told the audience what motivates him and the rest of the board to do all
the work they do. He introduced other board members in attendance and a
brief summary of the accomplishments and efforts of the association.
Habte is a member of the legislative body of ELF-RC as well as ELF-RC
USA administration.
It was then time for the children’s program which included a game, a
competition, which tests their knowledge the history of Eritrea. It was
led by young adults and the children who attended the festival competed
for different prizes under the oversight of Asghedet Mehreteab. It was
first in its kind to take place in the Eritrean festival. It was
designed to encourage the youngsters to learn the Eritrean culture and
history as they are raised and educated in the United States and Canada.
The state was then set for the panelists’ individual presentation in
their perspective subjects and topics. The first panelist was Amanuel
Habte, USA representative of ELF-RC and member of the legislative body
of the organization, who shared very insightful and informative
perspective of reconciliation in the Eritrean society, and political
organizations. It was a perspective that looked deep in the root of our
differences and what needs to be done to reconcile as a people and a
country.
The stage was then handed over to Mr. Fessehaye Mebrahtu to share his
views on an important topic of Social Justice in Eritrea from Faith
perspective. It was a smart and skillful presentation which centered on
calling the followers of Islamic and Christian faiths to speak out
against the injustice in Eritrea by the totalitarian regime in power. He
advocated for freedom of all faiths and the condemnation of the
interference of the regime against their independence.
The next presenter was Gherezghiher Tewolde, ELF- RC representative in
Canada and member of RC, was on constitution without constitutionalism.
He summarized the lack of checks and balances in the dictatorial regime
and lack of sincerity in the excuses of the regime not to implement
constitutional governance in Eritrea. He clearly showed that Isayas has
violated and disregarded even his own token of administrative rules and
regulations as well as the shelved constitution.
It was then Dr. Anghesom Atsbaha’s turn to eloquently describe on the
important topic of collaboration, competition, collective leadership
within the opposition and the challenges of transfer of power in
Eritrea. He pointed out the work that is needed and the challenges
waiting ahead and the time to start that challenge is now. It was an
interesting fresh perspective and blunt assessment of the current
developments in the opposition. It was an impressive one.
Dr. Gebremeskel Gebremariam then took the stage armed with historical
factual economic data to point out the root problem of the issues which
the country and people are facing on his topic: Features of the
Macroeconomics and Human Resource Development in Post Independence
Eritrea, an Economist’s Perspective. He had interesting lines which
described Isayas as a dictator and the economic status in the country.
The next presenter was Tedros Birhane tackling an important issue
currently and in the Eritrea of tomorrow: Corruption in Eritrea and ways
of fighting it. He defined corruption and its characteristics. He
highlighted the importance of planning corruption for post Isayas era
and called on the opposition to start its campaign now. He pointed out
some aspects of corruption in the opposition itself and called on for a
corrective action starting now.
Bairu Seyoum followed with probably with a topic which addresses the
most important question of the opposition and the people as a whole:
What is The Most Effective Fighting Strategy against the PFDJ Regime in
the Diaspora? As former member of the Eritrean North American Student
Association, he has a fresh perspective outlook on how to confront the
intimidation and PFDJ activities.
Asghedet Mehretab, chair of the Zoba west, concluded the panelist
presentation with the role of women in building democracy. As usual she
underlined the fact that any change for democracy cannot succeed without
the full participation of women universally and that holds true in our
Eritrean scenario. She also told the audience that democracy starts at
each and every one’s house hold and it is both a cultural and political
phenomenon.
While the presentation was in full swing, guests of non-Eritrean origin
continued to arrive as their scheduled time for speeches or delivery of
solidarity messages was in the afternoon. Akberet Ahferom, member of
the Nharnet Team, and member of the Zoba East leadership, and Tewolde
Mehari, chair of the Indianapolis Branch, and Auditor of ELF-RC USA were
greeting the guests and walk them through the cultural displays. The
number of the non-Eritrean origin is very impressive both in number and
kind of representation thanks to the efforts of the hosting branch of
Chicago and the cooperation of Dr. Anghesom Atsbaha.
Alem announced that it was lunch time. I do not want to pass this
opportunity without recognizing and appreciating the hard work of the
women members of the Chicago Branch. The food was delicious and
nutritional including salads and fruits. Many in the audience were
heard giving great remarks about the quality and variety of the food.
They simply showed “their wihlna”and more of their dedication. It
takes a special devotion for a few women to be able to prepare for such
a big gathering
Join me on the next reportage.
Nharnet Rep from the windy city. |
