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 It
was drizzly and windy day. Not a pleasant morning for a day out, but
these kinds of Eritrean outings don’t happen every week and not
going was unthinkable and we started our Journey from the western
part of London.
Sundays are usually quiet as far as the traffic is concerned it was
a smooth flow. Our direction was towards the northern part of
London, Finsbury Park to be exact. We had children in the car (my
God son and his sister) really excited and looking forward to their
day in the park. It is an opportunity for them to play football,
race and also mingle with other Eritrean children. This opportunity
was created by the Eritrean Embassy here in UK as part of the 18th
Eritrean Independence Day.
Eritrean freedom was once a fantasy. So many dismissed the struggle
for freedom as unachievable dream. During 1970s when colonialist
Ethiopian regime, ‘Derg’ was one of the biggest and best equipped
army in the world (only because it was armed by the then Soviet
Union), the Eritrean People’s Liberation Front (EPLF) had concluded
that, victory was inevitable and abandoning the struggle was not in
the agenda. To compare EPLF with Derg militarily, it was perhaps on
a ratio of 1 to 100. But the mental strength and clear vision was
what the EPLF had. The very intelligent military strategy and
dedication brought about the freedom every Eritrean was waiting for.
18 years it has been since the State of Eritrea was born and it
feels like yesterday. What this country went through in the last 18
years and mainly in the last 10, is simply extraordinary. One hand
is preserving the freedom and the other is rebuilding the country.
The achievements in the last 18 years could only be described as
miraculous.
Finsbury Park
The sun was struggling to pierce through the thick cloud and the
park was full of children and adults. My God son and his sister
could not wait, but to run to the park and race with each other. A
couple of guys were putting the bouncy castle together, some guys
were arranging football goal posts and further away from them there
was registration table for those who wanted to participate in the
sporting activities like football and running.
I walked to the football pitch as I wanted to see the activities
from afar and one thing attracted my attention. A big picture of
Eritrean freedom fighters on a mountain top waving the Eritrean
Flag. I looked at it for a minute and thought of the heroes. I was
asking if they envisaged what we are doing now? If they knew,
hundreds of children would run around celebrating the 18th birthday
of their country? If the Eritrean flag was going to wave on the top
of Finsbury Park towers? If they knew Eritrea would defeat all the
odds to become exemplary nation?
Eritrea is addictive. Once you fall in love with her then that is
it. You will give your money, time and life. Then again she is
beautiful with 9 ethnic groups, she is rich with resources and she
has great figure with long legs and slim waist. This precious lady
is young enough to be our sister, old enough to be our mother, youth
enough to be our friend and baby enough to be our daughter. The
beautiful lady has attracted so many admirers and when they cannot
have her they try to make her life hell, but when she has those
heroic sisters and brothers, daughters and sons; she is protected
from those bad guys and lives with dignity.
Activities
Activities did start later than expected and I was told this was
because the registration took longer than it should as people were
arriving late. From what I can see, the main activity was 5-a-side
football and was divided to under 10, 11-14 and 15 & above. My God
son did not have a team, but he was included in one team that was a
player short. The joy and excitement on those children’s face was a
delight to watch. Their eyes were beaming and their eagerness to win
a medal was clear by the way they were behaving. Midway through the
football 100 meters running started and could hear people applauding
the runners. By then the weather was sunny but a bit windy.
Towards the end, children sang happy birthday to Eritrea and shouted
Hip, Hip, Hooray. The Eritean Ambassador Mr. Tesfamichael Gerhatu
presented Trophies and Medals to the winners. By about 7:30 in the
evening we left Finsbury Park with my God son and his younger sister
happy and showing off their medals.
On our way home, I pulled out a CD and a fitting song of Wedi Tiqabo
‘Hagerey’ happened to be the first on the list.
Kulu Zbhgeki Sleki Ashehat Ywedku
Hiqfki Senom Kabruhuk Ymetsu nabaki Ymequ
Nhawaru Zkewn Meseret Yenbru Ynedku
Kinatki Keyftah Mistir Naykerski Sileki Yhasbu...HAGEREY
We were singing and clapping away and it was indeed a happy day.
Well done to all the organisers.
Happy 18th Eritrean Independence Day
God Bless Eritrean Martyrs sw18 5hw
Awet NHafash
Samson Negassi
samson_negassi@yahoo.co.uk
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