AMU has observed 14th ‘International Museum Day’ with fanfare at Main Campus on 16th May, 2016. Museum enthusiasts, professionals, academicians and others attended the inaugural event followed by group paying visit to cultural hot-spots like Hamar, Jinka and Konso. Click here to see the pictures.
At the outset, Gamo Gofa Cultural Music Band’s vibrant show regaled the audience. The department head of Sociology & Social Anthropology, Mr Eshetu Ewnetu, while welcoming the gathering, reminded them about the role AMU played in preserving cultural heritage.
University President, Dr Damtew Darza, Authority for Research & Conservation of Cultural Heritage’s Director General, Mr Yonas Desta, Arba Minch City Administration official, SNNPR’s Culture and Tourism Bureau Deputy Director, Mr Lemma Desalegn, scholars and researchers graced the occasion.
Dr Damtew, emphasizing AMU’s role, said, ‘‘Our university is strategically placed where one third of nation’s population live and it makes us more responsible to create an atmosphere of peaceful coexistence thus preserving cultural diversity in its true dimension.’’ He informed that Ethiopia is observing 14th ‘International Museum Day’ that began in 2001.
Hawassa University’s Behavioral Science Department Head, Dr Hanna Getachew in her findings, states, ‘‘Museums need to be equipped with professionals; more research, public programs and collection management will enable them to carry the correct message across. Museums must facilitate interface between museum and culture in African context,’’ she added.
ARCCH’s Director General, Mr Yonas Desta, said, ‘‘Of 121 museums along with over 37,000 church museums, Ethiopia has only one national museum at Addis Ababa that is being equipped with required elements; while the remaining museums need technical revisit.’’
He further adds, ‘‘Getting professionals in architecture, display, cataloguing, taxidermy and curatorship are on the top of our agenda. In every region and city administration huge sum is invested to equip museums with tangible and intangible elements and display them aptly in an apt language.’’
He also informed about ‘Museum on Human Origin of the World’ is being built in Addis Ababa. Billions of Birr have been earmarked to acquire land for it, since it’s in the design stage it will take few years to get completed.
In the subsequent days, museum enthusiasts and others paid visit to Hamar woreda where they enjoyed ‘evangadi’ dance, bull-jumping and interacted with aboriginals. In Jinka, they participated in a discussion on open-air museum; a quiz was held for school students; beautiful landscape at Konso mesmerized them.
Abdullahi Ali Sharif, the owner of a private museum at Harar, was felicitated for his efforts in promoting Ethiopian cultural heritage. Authority for Research & Conservation of Cultural Heritage office feted sponsors and artists for their contributions.
(By Philips Joseph: Corporate Communication Directorate)