DMU: – Debre Markos University, Haddis Alemayehu Cultural Studies Institute remarks the anniversary of the 125th victory of Adwa under the theme “ Adwa a flag of diversity’’ colorfully through numerous programs and activities done including various scholars’ reflections on historical point of view of Adwa and its implications to the current citizens of the nation and theatrical demonstrations about the battle of Adwa in Haddis Alemayehu Venue yesterday,on 2 March 2021 in the presence of Dr. Tafere Melaku, Debre Markos University President, Debre Markos University Vice Presidents, Mrs. Wudalat Alemaw, East Gojjam Zone Culture and Tourism Office Head, Religious Fathers, Dwellers of Debre Markos town, Debre Markos University students, invited guests and concerned bodies.
Partial view of the celebration of the Victory of Adawa in Haddis Alemayehu Cultural Studies Venue
Dr. Tafere Melaku, Debre Markos University President, says that today is the right time for all Ethiopians, be they are workers, ordinary citizenry, instructors, students and others have to move in unison to defend the national interests of their country as their forefathers and foremothers did at the battle of Adwa to keep the sovereignty of their country.
Thus, the new generation including the students should celebrate and keep those people and leaders who realized the victory of Adwa in the bottom of their heart through their blood and bones lose. The victory of Adwa brought Ethiopia in the front line and initiated the struggle of the blacks for their independence and freedom, he added.
The victory of Adwa can be symbolized with the rainbow in the sky which everyone is impressed in and appreciates but no one can touch, reach and fall it down, Dr. Tafere remarked. Thereby, those who tries to undermine and ridicule the best deeds and accomplishments of the then leaders will be ridiculed and cursed, and remain over ambitious, he underlined.
Among the values of the victory of Adwa, these days’ generations should share courage, patriotism, freedom, justice, equality and be voice for those people whose rights are deprived of. These days generation cannot be like the people and leaders of Adwa. Therefore, we have to learn to be hero of the time in every ones area of work, be patriots and be responsible for the people instead of self centeredness, struggling for justice, freedom and independence. These days generation should keep celebrating Adwa every time and keep the lessons obtained from Adwa, Dr. Tafere, remarked.
Dr. Haimanot Wasie, Debre Markos University English Language and Literature Instructor and researcher delivers a paper presentation on Ejigayehu Shibabaw’s song and its relation to the victory of Adwa. Haimanot says that Adwa is not a place, a town, a city or a certain location rather it is a universe and timeless. It is independence by itself. These things have been understood and recognized by Ejigayehu in depth as she indicted in her songs that no independence and freedom can come with any sacrifice, he mentioned. However, we Ethiopians do not know Ethiopia as foreigners know it because they recognized the power of the country as they were defeated in the battle of Adwa with their wrong perception about the knowledge, wisdom, courage, proud that Ethiopians had, he added.
Furthermore, a true hero lives for justice and freedom and has no relatives since his relationship is the realization of freedom and justice that these days generation has to be equipped with, Dr. Haimanot concluded.
Assistance Professor, Gizachew Andarge, Debre Markos University Haddis Alemayehu Cultural Studies Institute Director, on his part presents a paper under the theme “values of Adwa”. He indicated about the importance of knowing history, the methods that Italians used to defeat Ethiopia, and the values of Adwa Vs military Adwa and intellectual Adwa on his presentation. However, Ethiopians did not use the values of Adwa appropriately for the development and improvement of the livelihood of the people. Thus, historians should work aggressively to disseminate the values of Adwa to change the life of the citizens and the country at large, Gizachew remarked.
Besides, Associate Professor, Fantahun Ayele, Bahir Dar University History and Heritage Instructor and Researcher and Dr. Sete Getahun , Debre Markos University History and Heritage Instructor and researcher presented papers in relation to the victory of Adwa. Kine were also presented by the invited guest of the discipline from Orthodox Tewahdo Church. Abebaw Asrat, artist and Instructor at Addis Ababa University, also plays songs which enables to warm the celebrity on the stage.
It is noted that Debre Markos town amateur associations also have collaboratively demonstrated a theater about the battle of Adwa to the participants in Debre Markos University Haddis Alemayehu Venue.