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Jun 7 , 2025 . By BEREKET BALCHA

Saving A Thousand Mathiwoses

I was barely 18 in 1994 and just beginning my freshman year at Addis Abeba University when a friend asked me to accompany her on an errand to the nearby St. Mary Cathedral. The seat of the Ethiopian Orthodox Patriarchate, this church is to Ethiopia what San Pietro is to the Vatican, a spiritual and...

May 31 , 2025 . By BEREKET BALCHA

Facing the Mirror in Turmoil, Change the World

A recent BBC documentary spotlighted a familiar face in war-torn Port Sudan—a city now bearing the scars of a protracted civil war. It was Husam Abdulsalam, a violinist I had come to know from his spellbinding performances at the African Jazz Village in Addis Ababa. He had often taken the stage as a guest performer, captivating the room with his rendition of “Mashaina / We Went,” a classic by the legendary Nubian trio, Al Balabil. When Husam bowed his strings, time seemed to slow. The club stood still. Waves of nostalgia swept over the audience, especially those who had lived through...


May 24 , 2025 . By BEREKET BALCHA

Animals Need A Better World Too

A three-legged cat loiters at the gates of the Louvre, not the Parisian Museum, but a high-end French restaurant in Addis Abeba where I have had the privilege to dine on several occasions. The sight immediately reminded me of Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, the critically acclaimed animated blockbuster released in 2022. The film tells the story of a swashbuckling cat who burns through his nine lives with reckless abandon. But unlike the lucky feline on screen, the cat at the restaurant had only one life to live, and part of it had already been lost. She had lost a leg after being electrocuted...


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 myself. The word “museum” seemed slightly misleading for what turned out to be a mostly open-air haven bursting with indigenous vegetation. We bought our tickets at a small kiosk that doubled as a souvenir stand. The 150 Br entrance fee felt reasonable, though I reserved judgment for after the...

View From Arada

May 10 , 2025

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 t...

May 3 , 2025

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 w...

Apr 26 , 2025

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...

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...


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