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May 17 , 2025 . By BEREKET BALCHA

Moonlight in Zoma

A leisurely Sunday afternoon at a coffee shop near Mekanisa Abo Mazoria turned into a spontaneous adventure. Over coffee, my friend mentioned a nearby park often described as a nature lover's paradise, Zoma Museum. I had heard about it in passing and through media coverage but never made the trip m...

May 10 , 2025 . By BEREKET BALCHA

Out of Addis, Digital Dreams Rise

Two years ago, to the day, a Joy Hack event organised by iceAddis brought together young coders in a creative sprint to design computer games and draft accompanying articles. Held over three days on the fifth floor of a nondescript building, the hackathon drew participants aged 16 to 25, who were confined to the venue for the duration of the challenge. Meals, a kitchenette, and sleeping arrangements were provided to simulate an intensive, retreat-like environment conducive to innovation. The ambiance, part startup bootcamp, part mountain shelter, encouraged collaboration and creative risk-t...


May 3 , 2025 . By BEREKET BALCHA

Eternal Echoes and Living Legends ALEMTSEHAY WODAJO

A haunting painting of St. George at the Armenian Church by Selam Amsalu lured me toward an unlikely exploration. I had never stepped foot inside the Teferi Mekonnen School of Fine Arts, but Selam's work stirred something dormant. So, I ventured into the lush compound, just as the school was preparing for its centenary celebration. There, in the open lawns scattered with student sculptures, Selam and her friend Bizunesh guided me through their creations. Selam's sculpture of the Five Wise Virgins drew from a biblical parable of readiness and hope, while Bizunesh's work, a surreal piece of a...


Apr 26 , 2025 . By BEREKET BALCHA

The Ararat Connection

You don't need to travel to Old Jerusalem to know that its quarters are clearly marked: Jewish, Christian, Muslim, and Armenian. The last, while Christian, stands apart: home to the Armenian Apostolic Church and a community that has preserved its distinct heritage for centuries. It was there, in the early 1920s, that Crown Prince Teferi Mekonnen, later Emperor Haile Selassie I, encountered forty orphans: survivors of the Armenian genocide. Moved by their plight, he arranged for their royal adoption and brought them to Addis Abeba in 1924. They became known as the Arba Lijoch (40 children),...

View From Arada

Apr 20 , 2025

Addis's Easter Art Bonanza

Passing through the grand foyer of the Sheraton Addis, I expected “The Art of Ethiopia” to be a premium event. But what I saw exceeded all expectations. Hundreds of people, mostly young, swarmed t...

Apr 13 , 2025

Fast and Furious on a Bumpy Road

Once in a while, even the most efficient services falter. That's what happened the day my host in the small German city of Heilbronn accompanied me to the train station for my trip to Frankfurt. With...

Apr 6 , 2025

A Tale of Two Cities Addis and Dire

A 90's music clip kicks off with a fast-paced electronic beat, instantly taking you to a nightclub. Berhanu Tezera - one-half of the legendary duo Lafonte - delivers the opening lyrics with his signat...

Mar 30 , 2025

Mary Armede Done That, Seen It All

A small café near the Vatican Embassy (Apostolic Nunciature) at the turn of the millennium takes me back to my carefree university days. It was my favorite retreat during school breaks, a place where...

Mar 23 , 2025

Sweat, Smiles, and Saddle Sores A Change in Perspective

When I received my newly prescribed reading glasses, I was intrigued by their dual function. The lenses were segmented: the upper half for reading, while the lower half protected against UV rays and s...

Mar 16 , 2025

Celebrating GebreKristos Desta

My first encounter with GebreKristos Desta's work was through his poem Yemejemeriaw Ken (The First Day). The verse brief and direct, rapidly escalates toward the climax of the story. In fewer than hal...

Mar 9 , 2025

Farewell to An Oriental Culinary Gem

When I was savouring my favourite dish at the China Bar and Restaurant, Assorted Noodles and Beef Sizzling, I did not realize it would be my last meal in a place I had frequented for close to 15 years...

Mar 2 , 2025

Push the Edge, Grasp the Dream

Sometimes, the unexpected happens when daily routine is disrupted for no clear reason. That was my experience one morning in February 2025. I had gone to bed late, as I often do when something lingers...

Feb 23 , 2025

Treating Passwords Like Toothbrush, Virtual Schemes Endanger Unsuspecting Public

I spent a quiet Saturday afternoon at one of my favourite hideaways, La Patisserie Cafe, known for its excellent pastries and coffee. While my car was being washed, I enjoyed a slice of cake and a cup...

Feb 16 , 2025

Social Fitness is Key to Long, Happy Life

My parents' fiftieth wedding anniversary was an unforgettable event. I started the day by picking up a bouquet of roses and a heartfelt postcard. Stopping by Robera Coffee for an espresso and a quick...

Feb 9 , 2025

A Rebirth of a Royal Gem in Addis Abeba

My first visit to a palace was Ankober Palace, in the North Shoa Zone of Amhara Regional State about a decade ago. A relatively small, two-story medieval structure, it sits atop a hill, built in a tra...

Feb 1 , 2025

Misconceptions, Hasty Judgments Lead to Costly Mistakes

I had an errand to run, dropping off some clothes at Sunshine Laundry, my go-to spot for its quality service and convenient hours. The parking attendants guided me to an open space, and I quickly wen...

Jan 25 , 2025

Inflation's Lingering Impact, the Need for Stronger Consumer Protection

According to Statista, a platform that aggregates vital data and provides future projections through advanced analytics, Ethiopia's inflation trend is expected to decline steadily in the coming decade...

Jan 18 , 2025

Roha Band Creates a Legacy Carved in Stone

Some bands define a generation and leave a lasting mark, becoming anthems for their time. The Beatles, a renowned group from the 1960s to the late 1980s, hold the record for 180 million certified albu...

Jan 11 , 2025

A Journey Down Memory Lane, Alumni Reunion

When a couple of old elementary school friends started chatting on WhatsApp, I was curious but unsure what they were planning. Soon, they created a group named after our elementary school and graduati...

Jan 4 , 2025

A Pinch of Music, Tragedy, Tech Shifts

I would rank December as one of the best months in 2024. I may be biased by the fact that it was a vacation time for me, enjoying exciting travels during the Christmas season, and finally taking time...


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Researchers Churn Out Studies by the Ton. Quality Checks are Causality

Ethiopia pours more than three billion Birr a year into academic research, yet too much of...

Editorial | May 17 , 2025

Curtain Falls on a Capital Stage as Theatre Fights for Its Life

The balcony at the National Theatre, on Churchill Avenue, used to fill up days in advance...

Featured | May 4 , 2025 . By NAHOM AYELE

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Azeb Asamen sat in the modest living room of her small home near Haile Garment Square, in...

Agenda | May 17 , 2025 . By YITBAREK GETACHEW

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The soaring price of milk is becoming increasingly unaffordable, uncovering a deepening cr...

Fortune News | May 17 , 2025