Asmara Eritrea - May 24 2016

At 6 AM shots from a canon wake me up. I try to catch sleep again, but the birds around the house, and the sun shining through the curtains do not allow a snooze. After an hour the birds are silent, so I can have some extra rest, to wake up again at 11 AM.

I visit the house of Haile and Freweini. Today is Yosiefs birthday. Oops, I forgot. Freweini made some delicious hembesha. For me she makes some frittata (egg, tomato, onion and potato) because she knows it is one of my favorites.

Tedros, the brother of Freweini, who is living in Toronto, Canada and came to witness Independence Day, asks me if I can guess what the presidents speech will be about. Guess it will be about the 'Chifta Woyane', the United States and the ongoing attempts to strangle Eritrea. We discus politics, refugees, and more.

Michael suggests I should go to Bathi Meskerem in time. It will prove a brilliant advise. The invitation mentions an entry time from 4h30 up to 5 PM but when I arrive at 4 PM, the grandstand is already 40% occupied. Fortunately the B on the invitation is not a second rank, but partition B in the middle / left of the grandstand, in the middle, closer to the show. The best seats in the front are gone, but I am one of the lucky few with an invitation anyway, so I should not complain.

The Eritrean Profile team have found me as one of the foreign friends of Eritrea. They want to ask me some questions. I am proud to answer them. hoping I will find myself in the newspaper. A few photo's as well. So I guess they are happy with the interview. And so am I, as it again adds to my wonderful time in Eritrea.

ERI-TV camera's register the patriotic Eritreans. The scenes are projected on large screens. The audience show a enthusiast response when they recognize themselves on the screen, waving flags, banners, umbrella's and more.

The ceremony starts as usual with a minute of silence to commemorate the Eritrean Martyrs.

The celebrations starts with the marching band, and the Independence Day torch that has traveled through all regions of the country.

The opening ceremony is followed by a 20 minutes speech of the president. In Tigrinya of course, followed by a 20 minutes translation in Arabic. Here is the English translation of President Isaias Afwerki's speech.

Next is a parade of the Eritrean Defense Forces: Air force, Marines, Army, Police and EPLF veterans. The parades are concluded by representatives of Eritreans residing in many countries all over the world: USA, Canada, Australia, UK, Italy, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and more. All nine Eritrean nationalities were next to show their traditions. Camels, an important mode of transport for both men and ammunition during the 30 years of struggle for independence with Tigre drivers close the parade,

representatives of Eritrea's small air force (three MIG 29 fighter planes and an army helicopter) add to the Independence Day show.

Next is a show of various singers and dance from various Eritrean artists and guest artists from many countries, including an impressive show of hundreds of students. The Ambiance is not like Asmara Stadium, and the light is uncomfortable to make nice pictures. I watch the show from one of the two giant screens that show alternate shots of the show and the enthusiast public.

At 9 PM the show ends with the Eritrean National anthem, performed by all students.

View on the audience - Independence Day Celebrations.
Photo: Ministry of Information / Eritrea Profile May 25 2016.