Asmara Eritrea - May 21 2008

 

Today is the first street carnival parade, where some forty Asmara industries and governmental organizations demonstrate creative floats, displaying their products. The trucks are loaded with music bands and sided by dancing employees of the participating companies.

My personal favorite is the contribution of the Saba Shoe factory, for their overall performance. It looks as if the whole firm is involved in the show: a decorated truck, live music, traditional dance, kitcha, and everyone is dressed with a Saba Shoe Factory cap.

One of the employees makes sure I will wear one of their caps to. Later, in the evening when it is dark and the trucks pass Harnet Avenue, I will dance, wearing the cap, with the employees of the Saba Shoe Factory aside of their truck, to experience the carnival from the performers perspective, instead of watching it as a spectator. And nobody cares.

The message of the parade is clear: All Eritreans are working hard to pay their debts to the martyrs of the 1961-91 struggle for Independence, who left them the gift of freedom. In the colorful and joyful parade the workers of Asmara's major industrial companies proudly demonstrate their commitment to make Eritrea prosperous.

In a scene of colorful decorations and lights, with Eritrean flags mounted on lamp poles lining the main streets, the people of Asmara witness the event from the side of the streets.  It is one wonderful feast under the twinkling lights of Harnet Avenue and the surrounding main streets in the center of Asmara.

 

 

Contribution of Natsinet Textile Factory - BDHO Avenue Asmara Eritrea.

Contribution of Anberbeb PLC (Toyota) - BDHO Avenue Asmara Eritrea.

Contribution of the Saba Shoe Factory - BDHO Avenue Asmara Eritrea.

We are proud of our products - Impendence Day carnival Asmara Eritrea.

Contribution of the Saba Shoe Factory - BDHO Avenue Asmara Eritrea.

Woyane or Yankees? 17th Independence Day celebrations - Asmara.

Female dancers - 17th Independence Day celebrations - Asmara.

Contribution of Eribus - Semaetat Avenue Asmara Eritrea.

Decorated truck - 17th Independence Day celebrations - Asmara.

Female dancer - 17th Independence Day celebrations - Asmara.

Contribution of Eritrean Airlines - Semaetat Avenue Asmara Eritrea.

Contribution of Ghedem Construction - Semaetat Avenue Asmara Eritrea.

Contribution of Dolce Vita Fashion - Semaetat Avenue Asmara Eritrea.

Contribution of Pickling Tannery - Semaetat Avenue Asmara Eritrea.

Contribution of Eritel - Semaetat Avenue Asmara Eritrea.

Harnet Avenue - 17th Independence Day celebrations - Asmara.

Students of Asmara with matching strip clothes tapping their drums
17th Independence Day celebrations - Asmara Eritrea.

Marching band leading the parade - Semaetat Avenue Asmara Eritrea.

Doctor Abdel Aziz Abdel Fastfood - Harnet Avenue Asmara Eritrea.

Rita - Bar Gurgusum Harnet Avenue Asmara Eritrea.