ESFNA: 2nd Joyful Day in Silver Spring

July 4, 2013

SILVER SPRING, MD – It’s the 2nd day of ESFNA’s weeklong sports fest, and Silver Spring, the host city, is flooded with Ethiopians from all walks of life. The festive mood is felt everywhere as all businesses in the city fly the tricolor of Ethiopia as a tribute to the annual soccer fest that began 30 years ago in Houston, Texas.

At the stadium of the University of Maryland, dozens of kiosks are busy selling their stuff, from the hot spicy Ethiopian foods to several other small business products like T-shirts, CDs and books. Independent media groups such as ESAT and Addis Dimts Radio were also running their own stands selling some promotional materials.

What captivated us most was how the enthusiasm of the youth, and how they were active to keep the event successful. Our tour was often punctuated by the hugs of friends whom we haven’t seen for years.

All the while, soccer fans were letting out roars when hosts Maryland played guests San Jose, and tied 2-2.

When the fans left the stadium in the night, the pubs and restaurants opened their doors wide and welcomed their guests. As part of the flood, a few of us friends also walked into Langano Restaurant, where the food was delicious, the servers very jovial and courteous.

Live music was being played by gifted artists Aman and Hebest as well as keyboardist Behailu. Listening to Aman was like listen to three legends: Tilahun Gessesse, Mahmud Ahmed and a distant Alemayehu Eshete. The affable and beautiful Hebest also soothed our souls in her own way.

The live music was hilarious that many fans were dancing, defying the limited space. We were in the heart of Silver Spring but we felt we were on the shores of Langano, enjoying great melodies and a gentle breeze of the night. We were forced to leave Langano because we had to get up early and attend a Shengo Meeting at Hilton DoubleTree in the morning.

But we will be back to the stadium, and later to the pubs, with our friends that we have not seen for years. It’s quite refreshing.