Ethiopian Heritage Society of North America
PRESS RELEASE – February 29, 2012
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 ESFNA are working to sustain that love and that heritage.
19 thoughts on “Let’s support ESFNA”
Labor Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September (September 3 in 2012 / ነሐሴ 28 2004) that celebrates the economic and social contributions of workers.
hnnnn replies:
February 29th, 2012 at 8:21 PM
So, what’s your point?
Ben S. replies:
March 1st, 2012 at 10:33 PM
A proud American who feels as though we should respect the American holiday. Nothing wrong with that. We don’t need a “Heritage” organization to help us celebrate our culture. I believe ESFNA has been doing that for 29 years!!!!
Eritrawi replies:
March 2nd, 2012 at 10:49 PM
To ben s
you said “we should resprect the american holiday”
I am just asking, how does Americans celebrate labor day?
do they go to churchs or is there any special way
of celebrating?
please tell me if there is any tradition of celebrating
the holilday?
It’s last holiday of summer ,that’s when most americans take vacation. those who can’s afford vacation go to parks for a cookout
and eat and drink all day and have fun,which there is nothing wrong with it. it’s the end of summer days and beginig of fall.
You must be weyane who view heritage as poletical organization
you do not want ethiopians seize the moment and celebrate the own new traditoins here in the US.
Bravo EHSNA.
Anonymous replies:
February 29th, 2012 at 3:32 PM
What EHSNA has done is an outstanding example where all Ethiopians can communicate,support and work together to achieve there goal of serving the community. Rigidity can’t take us anywhere except destroying our community at large. The religious community has to learn a lot. They are established to accommodate the community not to divide. They have to stop being heat mongers and destructive among each other.
Thank you for taking the high road on this one. Time for ESFNA to take advantage of this unprecedented support
A great move by Heritage. Thanks!!
It would be better if the festival is held on the eve of Ethiopian New Year which falls mostly week after labor day weekend. That’s how other cities like San Jose, Toronto etc.. celebrate their Ethiopian Festival. If taking advantage of the labor day weekend extended vacation days, it can start on labor day weekend to accommodate those who are free only on those days and end in the following week. The ESFNA sports festival is held in similar manner. One can say ESFNA has some activities during all to be held for several days. Frankly speaking, you do not need professional Eskista dancers, Pop stars to make festival. Give festival goers the chance to roam around all kinds of booths from food vendors to those who want to showcase their products or services,that by itself is festival experience. People go to festivals,especially in the summer days, not to sit in one place and entertained but to mingle to see and be seen in general for the outdoor experience. Waive entrance fee at least for some of the days. If the organizers are smart and cut their costs by not falling to “professional entertainers” and concentrate in bringing large number of people to the festival, there are many ways they can get the revenue they otherwise lose from entrance fee. The best way to attract as large crowd is to let people know it is free event. Not hard science, they can learn from experience and best practice of others in our community or other community groups.
Both are politically motivated organization. Good for nothing
Queen Elizabeth replies:
March 1st, 2012 at 12:04 PM
What exactly do you mean teshome by “they are both politically motivaed” and you are not? What exactly does politics mean to you?
Is being concerned about human rights abuse and the survival of Ethiopia for Ethiopians politics? If so we appreciate these two organizations for caring and loving Ethiopia. As to you, you seem quite content in selling your soul for pittance to anyone who is willing to ride you for a couple of dinars.
Anonymous replies:
March 1st, 2012 at 1:21 PM
Thanks, Queen Elizabeth!!!
Teshome is one of those individuals and/ or group member subdued by the hate, negative energy and talk and do nothing. This type of people should not take our time to respond because they aren’t worthy of our time. They are “The man without face” by Masha Gessen, the book written about Putin. This book is the best book to read and understand how Meles and his followers are copy cats.
Anonymous replies:
March 2nd, 2012 at 6:58 AM
good morning sir ha ha ha hmmmm
It is a great decision. Congratulations for making such a wise decision.
I am impressed. One day we will get back to where we were and look good again
Yes, always its good to have a community get together for good purpose.
Great move EHSNA! ESFNA is a great organization that needs support by Ethiopians in the Diaspora. Get closer to it, go to its events and support you local team if you have one near you. When you get involved more, it will be even more worthy of an organization to all of us. There will be some town hall meetings on March 25 in many states. Go listen to what they have to say and ask all your questions.
See you all in Dallas! Bringing 100,000 Ethiopians together in Dallas!
Anonymous replies:
March 3rd, 2012 at 2:03 PM
Redeat,
You need to go back yourself. You left the organization on its critical time and those who gave you hard time have created “Teletafi” organiozation to serve their boses. We all should support ESFNA as long as it stands on its founding prinicple serving the Ethiopians in despora. Fully agree with your supportive comment and we all should support and engage with ESFNA..100,000 Ethiopians to DALLAS count me one.
SEE YOU in Dallas..
Haile
Thank you Heritage! You bring the dawn of hope that gives birth to the inherited culture of understanding with each other. I was as doubtful of your festival plans and thought of your motives as distractive, but here you are proving your strength for the long march you have envisioned. Once you are out of ESFANA’s days, I wish you success in the endeavor you are attempting to maintain Ethiopian heritage. The heritage of the gena chewata, gebeta, tegil, gugse, quelebosh, yekembata ergecha, yeguragie dula, above all the Ethiopian bravery!! Brave young people of the kind of the Arbegnas, the 1970s EPRP, the sentique of the 16 brigade, those are the spear heads of us.