In the March 2005 issue of UN Special,
Seble Demeke, former UNOG staff member
and current correspondent in Africa submitted
an interview she had with Mr Amde
Akalework, President of the Alliance éthiopio-française located in Addis Ababa She
asked him how does the Alliance contribute
to the development of Ethiopian traditional
music. His response was that once a month
there is a traditional music evening, known as
Azmari evening where traditional dances and
music are performed.
I would never in my wildest dreams have
thought that one month later, I would find
myself at the Alliance in Addis, dancing the
Iskista with Seble. Iskista, the most common
traditional dance, is performed by leaning forward
with hips and the rest of the body motionless
letting the shoulders do the dancing. Well,
she was much better at it then me. My body type
is more suited for West African dances.
During the evening, Seble introduced me to
Mr Akalework and Mr Lucien Roux, President of
the Alliance and Cultural Attaché of the French
Embassy in Addis. Both were pleased that the
Alliance had been featured in the UNS.
N° 641 June 2005