Millennium celebration at Carleton University in Ottawa.
Ethiopia is a beacon of hope up on the hill. Really. The ecstasy and euphoria sweeping the nation is seized more than ever lest it is not tentative. The tectonic effect of this speckle in vastness is not only confined to Ethiopia; it is being felt across the oceans and vast terrains as a pride to reckon with and most of all a unique identity where the ‘dark’ continent is reclaiming itself in the World stage. Of course, it is Africa’s Millennium as well.
This historic right, need I dare say, could not have come in better years, it is indeed ushered at a time when Ethiopia is defining itself with a resolve to re-live the glorious days of the erstwhile, and to garner a prudent lesson from the dark and ugly eon nights.
If there is a silver spoon tucked in our mouth, it is our indispensible luck to live in this colossally momentous time. Indeed we are lucky. When our Eve (Lucy) attests Ethiopia’s cradle of humanity; when our brave sprinters defy the stretch of a distance; when our fledging democracy looks more promising than ever; and when our economy is an envy to an on-looker, the rest of us are walking with our chins up and we are telling the world that, the day of the Millennium is well spent.
It is within this back drop that, those of us who are not able to actually celebrate the Millennium in our Patria, found a microcosm to that effect here at Carleton University in Ottawa. As an alumnus, the Millennium event was a reminiscent of train of memories, particularly for me, to be at Carleton University in this historic moment. It was with great earnestness and eagerness that, I enjoyed the event beyond limit amongst my country-men and women. The modest audience however, gravitated citizens from different walk of life where students from all corners of Africa, the Caribbean, and Asia graced the hall with their respective presence. As the audience got fired up to feel the vibe of celebration, Mikael, a Carletonian with a funky fad and an MC in his own right took the stage and laid out the ensuing program of the event.
As it was imperative to enlighten the audience about the historical and intellectual roots of the Millennium, a guest of honor, Ato Solomon from the Ethiopian Community in Ottawa, seized the moment and walked the audience through the objective threads of the Ethiopian Millennium and its stark contrast from the seven years old Millennium.
Ato Solomon, tersely educated the audience about Ethiopia’s unique amalgamation and mosaic phenotype of Sub-Saharan Africa and Middle-East as well. As he went on with his scholar demeanor, he laid out the distinction between the Gregorian and Julian calendar; Ethiopia’s unique intellectual heritage of alphabets and numerals; and he touched passively Ethiopia’s proud legacy where the two great religions co-exist in harmony.
After a brief hiatus, a fashion show was show-cased with a traditional music at the background, where the traditional dresses of the different nations and nationalities of Ethiopia were cat-walked on the podium. Later on, a slide show of Ethiopia’s great historical, cultural, land escape and wild-life heritages was presented to the audience. In the mean time, with a high-pitched mood of festivity, we got treated with a delicious Ethiopian food and drinks as well.
I say kudos to Ethiopian Students Association. Ethiopian Students Association has done a fantastic job. To mention but a few, Belay Birhane, Muluken Shambel, Lishan, Yorusalem and Mikael have made an extended effort to sail the event on a shiny river. They are indeed the pride of Ethiopia. Happy Millennium.
Paulos Yrgaw
Ottawa, Canada.