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:: By Samson Negassi
It has been already a year from that memorable weekend in London. Indeed
time is moving quickly that it does not feel long since we had a weekend
that will be with us for a very long time.
 Because
of work commitment I could not make Friday, but I was adamant that I was
not going to miss the UK 2009 Eritrean Festival. During freedom
struggle, Festivals in Bologna were reflections of defiance, existence,
endurance and vision of Eritrea. The purpose of our struggle for freedom
during 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s and our struggle for self reliance and
prosperity now; can be reflected in the festivals we hold in Eritrea and
outside Eritrea. Year by year we get stronger and bigger that, we equip
ourselves with more ammunition which keeps us marching steadily.
Saturday 4th July
Finding the venue of the festival was not a problem this year and we set
off from the western part of London. It was around 8.45 in the morning.
Family and friends in two cars following each other we started our
journey to the northern part of London. Kids were very excited and
looking forward to their weekend in Edmonton Lee valley leisure centre.
It was a very pleasant morning with the sun looking down at us, as
though it was wishing us a very good weekend. At that time of the
morning, the usually frustrating traffic in London was very quiet and so
far so good.
“I think this year will be better’ said my fiancée, “I agree” I replied.
“Are we going to play football?” asked my God son”, “yes you can play
football and also play with all the friends you met in the Eritrean
sports day last May” replied my fiancée. If my God son could fly our car
he would as he could not wait to get there. “Is it far?” He asked with
excitement. “No, we will be there in about an hour” I replied.
All this will be engraved in my God son’s brain. He will be confident
about his identity. He knows he is Eritrean and will grow with a very
secure sense of identity. Our Martyrs gave their lives to bring the
Eritrean identity, but identity on its own means nothing if it’s not
moulded carefully. When every citizen in every corner of our country has
equal opportunities, when Eritrean children can walk on a very strong
foundation with top class education, bright and peaceful future; then
our martyrs are rewarded.
I pulled out the new CD ‘Fewsi Libi’ of Yohans (Wedi Tiqabo). I have
been listening to this CD for the last two weeks and can’t get enough of
it. ‘Mie’Raff’ happens to be my favourite.
♫ ♫ ♫ Dekimkan Halikan....Demikan Ts’Erkan...
Te’Erifelu Ne’eddi.. Ymesleni Neru kem Ane Gidi
Lekas Mie’Raff... Ma’edo Koynu Zitsiwana Imber... Nitsiweoo Aykonen
Nihna Nikedo Imber... Zimetsana Ayknonen....
Mie’Raff.... Zey’Wedae Metshaf
Hareg Wolodotat Endatelagebu Nabeu Zigalebu
Imber Nabeu Zia’Lebu Aykonen ♫ ♫ ♫
Emphasising on the long way we have to go, Wedi Tiquabo reminds us to
defeat the undefeated and reach our destiny. Destiny that will allow
good living for the coming generations.
There was silence in the car and it looked like everyone was digesting
the words from Wedi Tiquabo.
We nearly finished Marylebone road and were entering Euston road
proceeding to Old Street.
“But the country has come out on the top” said my friend in the car. He
carried on saying,
“after all the military and media attacks from left, right and centre (Iza
Adi) the country suffered, it has consistently kept her words and now it
looks like the gear will change to a higher speed”
Resistance is paying off. Puppets and tools were recruited to destroy
and quash the sacred vision, but fainthearted puppets and neo-colonisers
failed big time and are left behind. Now the evil is gone away and the
good has taken over.
About 10:00 we were approaching Lee valley Leisure centre. The red,
blue, green and yellow Eritrean flag can be seen waving from afar. My
God son shouted “Eritrean Flag”. Yes the flag was waving welcoming us.
We parked our car and made our way to the entrance and paid for our
tickets. We started looking around and the place was fairly quiet and
organisers with their green Hi-Vis jacket were preparing their day. On
the left at the entrance, there was first aid centre and I was told
Eritrean doctor was on duty there with other medical experts. Next to it
there was information centre, moving on Media Centre with cameras and
other media equipments also a big screen TV, next there was Martyrs
centre which had merchandises for sale. Next to that there were private
shops such us Adulis Music Shop selling CD, DVD etc. Further down there
were two tents ‘Behti Meskerem’ and Hade Libi was the biggest where
seminars and other shows were held.
We were told, sport activities were held in ‘Meda Sawa’ and had to go
there as my God son and his sister had to register to participate in the
sports activities. Registration was underway and volunteers were setting
up the football field. A laptop and a projector were showing the
registration table on the wall. My God son and his sister got registered
and were in teams ‘Selina’ and ‘Nakfa’. We left the kids in the good
hands of the organisers and made our way back to see the opening
ceremony.
The festival compound is filled with Eritreans and Friends of Eritrea
and was buzzing. Coffee shops and restaurants are busy serving food and
Drink. This year’s guest from Eritrea was Mr Abdela Jabir Head of
Organizational Affairs at the PFDJ. I have seen Mr Jabir a couple of
times before and he strikes me as a very courageous man. Also present
were Mr. Tesfamichael Gerahtu Eritrean Ambassador to the U.K and other
officials. Mr. Jabir opened the festival and walked around the compound
observing activities. The hard working Eritrean ambassador and other
embassy officials were showing Mr Jabir around. I asked myself, but why
would the Eritrean Government spend time, effort and money on festivals?
Why would a Government official take time to travel all the way to UK to
participate in Festivals like this? The answer is because we are
building a nation that has togetherness, culture and identity. The
interlinked work of the People and Government of Eritrea was and is the
reason for the successes. Yes Our Independent Path is Guarantee for our
Development.
We made our way back to watch the sport activities in Meda Sawa and by
the time we got there the football games were underway and ‘Selina’ (A
team of my god son’s sister) lost to ‘Medeber B’ and she said “it was
all boys and us girls, but we played well”, My God son’s team ‘Nakfa’
was playing ‘Asseb’. The enthusiasm of some parents was very clear. They
were shouting and encouraging the children. 100 meters running was also
held and children enjoyed themselves very much. Watching all this can
only gives you happiness.
During all this, we missed the discussion between parents and children
and we were told it was very lively. But we managed to attend the
Seminar by Abdela Jabir and he talked about the current affairs in
Eritrea and took question which he answered eloquently. The leadership
in Eritrea can only be described as unique. Leadership that prioritises
prime needs for the people and nation. A leadership that is fighting to
bring about stable ground that will be comfortable for the coming
generations. At the end of the Seminar Mr Jabir got a deserved standing
ovation.
After that it was time to present trophies to the winners of the sport
activities and the winners received their medals and trophies from Mr
Jabir. Parents were applauding and taking pictures of their children.
After that it was time for the cultural shows by ‘Warsa’ cultural group
and cultural music which everyone enjoyed.
Sunday 5th July
We got there around 12:00 midday and the place was unsurprisingly quiet.
It was a good opportunity to catch up with friends over a delicious tea
and Himbasha. Food and drink was priced reasonably and was very well
made. We went around and bought merchandise and CDs. Children were
playing on the bouncy castle. “Haberetea” echoed a lady’s voice from the
information desk and announced that regional organisation workshop was
about to start in the ‘Bahti Meskerem’ hall. This was something I have
not experienced before. The workshop was very participatory and everyone
had their say. Taking ownership of our yearly activities and how to
better them, how to create conducive activity for the youth and came up
with action plans.
Following that, it was time for Fashion show. Beautiful young Eritrean
ladies and handsome Eritrean young men accompanied with Eritrean music,
stepped out showing off cultural Eritrean clothing of Saho, Bilen, Nara,
Kunama, Tigrigna, Rashaida, Tigre, Afar, Hidareb. It was a real blast to
say the least.
Then followed the graduation ceremony which is held to celebrate the
achievement of those who passed their course. It was a wonderful
occasion and a chance to take pride in what they have achieved. Each
student was applauded as they cross the stage to receive their award.
Members of their family and friends were watching the ceremony with
pride. Cameras were clicking from every direction. This was also
inspiring to those who are studying, that one day they will get on that
stage and receive their award. Following that, there it was time for
music and everyone danced away celebrating the wonderful festival.
This wonderful festival was culminated brilliantly. Everyone gathered
around our Red, Blue, Green and Yellow flag. The eloquent Ambassador
Tesfamichael Gerhatu made a short speech about our tasks ahead and the
action plans we have adopted during the workshop. The Eritrean flag was
waving; wave of delight. Then came a young girl and stood by the flag
and followed the National Anthem.
♫ Eritrea...Eritrea...Eritrea Beal Dema Endalkese Tedemsisu ♫...
I felt tears pouring down my eyes and said God/ Allah bless you my
beloved Eritrea. 2009 UK festival was closed with, women, men, children
and youth dancing
Our Martyrs Rest in Peace. Your Martyrdom has brought Freedom that will
be treasured forever.
Wisdom and Courage to the Eritrean people and leadership.
Awet N’Hafash.
Samson Negassi
samson_negassi@yahoo.co.uk |
