Asmara Eritrea - May 23 2008

 

Today is the first day of an exhibition of the Eritrean artist Haile Berhane in the Italian club Casa Degli Italia. A group of spectators is being guided past a selection of Haile's paintings affixed on the four walls of an exhibition hall of the Italian club.

As usual I am invited to a private tour with an English translation, where friends and admirers of Haile's work explain the meaning of the paintings. There is tea and pastry to celebrate the opening. We make some pictures and exchange e-mail addresses.

At the eve of Independence Day Harnet Avenue is full of people. I walk the road to visit the stages. A Tigrinya band and body painted dancers performs songs and dances, while a the crowd watches or dances the shoulder-shrugging, foot-shuffling Tigrinya style with enthusiasm and excitement. Every once and a while members of the audience jump onto the stage to dance with the performers, or to stick some Nakfa’s in their collar.

At midnight there is the traditional countdown, the Eritrean anthem and fireworks, while the bells of the Catholic Cathedral further add to the symphony of joy on Asmara's brightly illuminated main street.

 

After thirty years of sacrifices the Eritrean nation brightens
Haile Berhane's art exhibition at Casa Degli Italia - Asmara Eritrea.

Where are my guests? (Traditional Coffee Ceremony)
Haile Berhane's art exhibition at Casa Degli Italia - Asmara Eritrea.

Knowledge is the eye of the world
Haile Berhane's art exhibition at Casa Degli Italia - Asmara Eritrea.

Ethiopia's Prime Minister Meles Zenawi carried away by his success
Haile Berhane's art exhibition at Casa Degli Italia - Asmara Eritrea.

Artist Haile Berhane at his exhibition at Casa Degli Italia - Asmara.
"If you try to burry the truth, it will come up explosive".

Escape from the violence of the war
Haile Berhane's art exhibition at Casa Degli Italia - Asmara Eritrea.

Body painted children at the eve of Eritrea's 17th Independence Day.

Body painted dancer at the eve of Eritrea's 17th Independence Day.

Asmarino's gathering on the main street - Harnet Avenue Asmara Eritrea.

Live concert on one of the stages - Harnet Avenue Asmara Eritrea.

Live concert on one of the stages - Harnet Avenue Asmara Eritrea.

Illuminated shops and offices - Harnet Avenue Asmara Eritrea.

Harnet Avenue May 24 2008 0:00 fireworks - Asmara Eritrea.