The Huston, Texas International Fest was a blast!

(Eskinder Belachew, Houston 04/22/08):-It was a well organized PR for Ethiopia ; The Huston Ethiopians in coordination with the Ministry of Information, Ethiopian Truism Commission and the Embassy have shown what Ethiopia can offer in a very grand way. From very impressive and accurate life size Laibela church to a life size of Harar Wall were in display, where you can enter inside and feel that you are actually inside the Church and the Harari Gimb. Both the Harari Gimb and the Lalibela church have an overwhelming serenity and aura when you enter them. As an Ethiopian I was embarrassed for not having visited these places, and I was dumbfounded like other fereng’s that were inside.

It was an extraordinary experience for the thousands of visitors who attended; it was like “Out of Africa”. The Grand Band Stand was dominated by visiting the National Dance Theater of Ethiopia, playing with two hours intervals the whole day. A Fashion show with traditional Ethiopian clothes from every Ethiopian ethnic group you can think of was displayed. You can hear every fernge asking where they can buy the cloth. Well, not at Macys, and you may have to go to Ethiopia , I proudly declared to a ferengi who was so impressed with a very colorful traditional Harari women cloth.

One of the active organizers of the IFest, Aster Eyob offered a free Traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony which was a popular stop at the festival, a free Jebena brewed cup of Ethiopian coffee was provided the whole day. .Another crafty work of Aster was the African Wall of Fame with 11 Famous Ethiopians displayed with other great Africans from Mandela to Rep. Mickey Leland.

Personally, I was not able to get on time for the opening ceremony, but from reading the local news papers you learn that it was attended by who is who in Huston including Rep. Sheila Jackson lee, former UN Ambassador Andrew Young, Mayor of Huston and dignitaries from Ethiopia his Excellency Ato Berhan Hailu Minister of Information, Excellency W/z Tadeleh and Minister Council of Ethiopian Embassy Ato Mule Tarekng . For those of you who did not attend you will have an opportunity to see it in the coming weeks. ETV reporters and a camera man from Ethiopia have been documenting every aspect of the festival. As for me I think this was one of the best cultural, tourist and possibly a trade promotion activity I have seen for Ethiopia .

Another highlight of the festivities was an exclusive Ethiopian affair. A meeting of the Ethiopian community with his Excellency Ato Berhan Hailu, Minister of Information, her Excellency W/ Tadelech and representative from the Embassy of Ethiopia Minister Council Mule Tarekeng. This was not your usual middle of the road presentation on how good Ethiopia is doing. It was data intensive showing actual numerical growth. Even those who claim to be close followers of Ethiopian affairs held their breath. Few of these impressive numbers on development include:

There is a decrease in travel time from average of 6 hours to about 3.2 hours because of road improvements nation wide. Almost every Woreda in Ethiopia is now connected with roads. An impressive 37,000 km roads built 14% of the federal government budget went to this sector for further expansions and improvements‘.

A 19% elementary school enrollment in 1983 has grown to 91% an increase of 82%, 14 million students enrolled in elementary schools creating a huge demand for construction of new high schools and higher education institutions, .from a mere 8,000 high schools and trade schools it has grown to 21,000 high schools and from two Universities in 1983 to 21 to meet the demand in education, and this does not include private schools. The government spends 26% of its budget in this sector, to further expand and upgrade quality of education.

An impressive expansion in farm extension workers currently at 1.4 million and growing with extension programs every where, creating millionaire farmers. A 30, 000 strong health workers two in every kebele in Ethiopia focuses on prevention medicine.

Government admittedly under estimated the needs in telecommunication and now it has created a rush for expansion, the current 1.2 million mobil e subscribers

There is a lot of data that could be listed here but we know the progress is real. Despite the nay sayers we now have millions of beneficiaries in the country and becoming the recipient of its labor’s worth. Today one can call a farmer and enjoy a conversation because cell phones have become accessible to all

Other briefing included Tourism opportunities. Ethiopia is now designated as one of the two unique destinations in Africa with 8 registered world treasures, making her second to Egypt . The growing impact of Lucy and 197 artifacts touring the US will definitely create excitement. As her Excellency W/ Tadelech stressed this is a great business opportunity for Diaspora Ethiopians to work with Tour operators in Ethiopia who were also in Huston represented by their association. Embassy official Mr. Mule discussed activities of the Embassy and plans to engage the Diaspora despite difference s’ in political views. He said he understands that there is much work to be done in correcting what he calls “yetezaba ye Ethiopia Seile”.

A very civil Q&A cession discussing issues of corruption , controversies on public school prayers by Muslims, concerns on government spending of only 1.8% of budget on military, with all the these monkeys in our neighborhoods, government regulations that discourage investment of Diaspora, issues of Somalia current election etc. were discussed. Finally there was an invitation extended to all the Diaspora to celebrate the African Millennium in May in Ethiopia .