In
a show of solidarity that is common and expected in the Ethiopian Diaspora
community, the Ethiopian Heritage Society of North
America (EHSNA) has agreed to defer its Ethiopian Heritage Festival so that it
does not conflict with the sporting events being promoted by the Ethiopian
Sports Federation of North America (ESFNA).
Because of timing conflicts, many
Diaspora Ethiopians came forward to express that they did not want to miss
either event. The EHSNA Heritage Festival, going on its second year, was
initially held in the first week in July in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan
area. ESFNA is approaching its 29th year of holding its annual
sporting events in early July in Dallas, Texas. In a show of support, the
younger of the two organizations, EHSNA, has agreed to move it’s
Heritage Festival to the Labor Day weekend.
The
Ethiopian Sports Federation will hold its sports events in Dallas from July 1
to July 7. The Ethiopian Heritage Festival will be held in September, using the
three-day, Labor Day weekend to its full advantage. Exact times, dates, and
places will be announced. The festival, now entering its second year, will
probably be held in the D.C. area, as it was in the preceding year.
Praise for the Ethiopian Sports
Federation
The
Heritage Society takes this opportunity to praise and celebrate the Ethiopian
Sports Federation for its longevity – this will be its 29th
year of holding the sports events. The Heritage Society also praises the Sports
Federation for its efforts to thwart the reach of the illegitimate TPLF
government now in power in Ethiopia.
That
regime had been trying to reform the Sports Federation to work on its behalf.
The Federation has managed to fend off the regime’s efforts to subvert their
organization. The regime wanted to make the Sports Federation a satellite from
which to influence or spy on other Ethiopian Diaspora organizations and
communities.
The
Ethiopian Heritage Society Approaches a Second Year of Success
The Ethiopian Heritage Society held
its First Annual Ethiopian Heritage Festival in early July of 2011, with the
theme, “Celebrate and Discover Ethiopia!” The festival
showcased the historical, cultural, artistic, athletic, and culinary treasures,
creativity, and talent from the Ethiopian community for the enjoyment and
education of the public at large.
After the festival, the Heritage
Society hosted Camp Agelgel the following September.
Camp Agelgel was a thanksgiving event with many
participants and many activities. It was held to thank the businesses and
individuals in the Ethiopian Diaspora who helped make the first Ethiopian
Heritage Festival such a success.
Second Ethiopian Heritage Festival
Promises an Even Better Experience
Details for the Second Annual
Heritage Festival, to be held this year around Labor Day, will be announced as
soon as possible. The Washington Metro Area will probably be the site. Those
wishing to attend should keep their calendars open for the first weekend in
September. This second annual festival will set the tone for future festivals
in that it will be bigger and better than the last. Not only will there be
fantastic entertainment, but also events that will reflect the Ethiopian
heritage and solidarity within the Ethiopian Diaspora community. Youngsters are
especially welcome so that they can understand and appreciate their Ethiopian
heritage.
Keeping Ethiopian Heritage Alive
Diaspora Ethiopians should also look
to join the Ethiopian Sports Federation in Dallas, Texas. Participants can
enjoy and partake in their sporting events and their celebration of the
heritage of the Ethiopian Diaspora Community. Friends and members of the
Ethiopian Heritage Society of North America and the Ethiopian Sports Federation
of North America, ask all interested folks to attend and enjoy both events.
If you are an appreciator of
Ethiopia and its peoples, or if you love your heritage and seek to preserve it
for yourself and for our younger generations, this is an easy way and a fun way
to become or to remain involved. We may not be able to call Ethiopia as home
right now, but we still can retain our heritage and our love of the land. Both
EHSNA and EHSFNA are working to sustain that love and that heritage.
