Wondifraw Mihret Dessie
Phone number: 0920264275
Email: haddis_alemayehu@dmu.edu.et/ wondemihret2009@gmail.com
ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2838-3472
Linked in: linkedin.com/in/wondifraw-dessie-16908857
Message from the Director of Haddis Alemayehu Institute of Cultural Studies
The naturally, socioculturally, historically, and artistically endowed part of the region, Gojjam, home to Debre Markos University, has long been recognized as a cradle of Ethiopian art, literature, and culture, producing generations of distinguished artists, writers, and cultural leaders. With its historic landmarks, ancient churches, rich material culture, traditional performance arts, and vibrant cultural practices, Gojjam offers vast opportunities for research, preservation, and creative exploration of its indigenous knowledge accumulated for centuries. Cognizant of these resources, Debre Markos University established the Haddis Alemayehu Institute of Cultural Studies in 2004 E.C. (2011–2012 G.C.), named after the eminent Ethiopian literary figure, social critic, patriot, and diplomat Dr. Haddis Alemayehu, whose pioneering works continue to inspire scholars and artists in Ethiopia and abroad.
The Institute was founded to preserve, document, and promote cultural, artistic, literary, and linguistic heritage while fostering creative development. Its core culture and art departments including literature, music, theater, and Ge’ez language studies organize artistic platforms, competitions, trainings, and publications. These departments document and promote traditional and contemporary art forms, literature, language, and cultural expressions, supporting students, local artisans, and community institutions, and safeguarding the tangible and intangible heritage of Gojjam.
Research, innovation, and knowledge preservation are central to the Institute’s mission. Its endeavor to digitize the archive center preserves historical documents. The Institute leverages to publish the Encyclopedia of Gojjam that comprehensively records the region’s cultural, historical, and socio-economic heritage and wisdom. In its indigenous medicine extraction center, the institute collects, cultivates, and aggressively conducts research on medicinal plants. Through these initiatives, alongside national research conferences, publications, and audio-visual productions, Haddis Alemayehu Institute of Cultural Studies integrates heritage, art, literature, and indigenous knowledge, serving as a beacon of cultural continuity, creativity, and transformation at local, regional, and national levels.