HAMIL R. HARRIS
UDC Becomes a Flurry of Cultures During Around the World Embassy Tour Event
By WI Web Editor
https://www.washingtoninformer.com/udc- ... our-event/
May 11, 2022
Representatives from the Eritrean Embassy greet guests. (Hamil R. Harris/The Washington Informer)
The University of the District of Columbia (UDC) served as the venue for diplomats from various embassies who rarely get a chance to show off the food, art and other cultural aspects of their countries.
On Saturday, May 7, diplomats from countries including Libya, Uganda and Eritrea displayed a variety of items at the UDC Van Ness campus as part of the Around the World Embassy Tour. Additional diplomats along Embassy Row in Northwest and throughout the District also participated.
This is our 15th year of being involved in the Tour and my hope for Passport DC is to help remind everyone that we are more alike than different, despite the multitude of cultures and beliefs,
said
Steve Shulman, executive director of Cultural Tourism DC.
Diplomats at UDC set up tables filled with art, food and fashion.
Meanwhile,
Ronald Nnam, who works in IT at the Uganda Embassy, showed interested visitors a 30-foot replica of the “
Peter the Great Battle Cruiser” which he built himself.
I want people to learn to appreciate hard work and to have the ability to think out of the box and be creative – that was the purpose of creating this project,
he said.
For many years, the 4200 block of Connecticut Avenue has served as a gathering place for vendors from around the world. Saturday’s event brought anxious residents of the District back after several years of canceled programs due to the pandemic.
Unlike any other city in the U.S., Washington, D.C. has many different neighborhoods where embassies are located like the DuPont Circle area and along Massachusetts Avenue.
Some visitors said they wanted to learn more about the political leanings of the countries and the colorful leaders who currently lead or who once led those nations including Libya’s
Muammar Gaddafi.
But the tables manned by Libyan diplomats counted as one of the most popular for another reason – they served plates filled with lamb, beans, dates and couscous.
Participating embassies included: The African Union, Albania, Algeria, Azerbaijan, Barbados, Bolivia, Cameroon, Chile, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Guatemala, Haiti, Iraq, Kenya, Libya, Mexico, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia and Uganda.
Shulman said the event has become more important than ever as nations around the world work to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic and because of the current state of international affairs which remains so volatile.
As she passed out samples of bread,
Seble Tsehaye, political officer for the Eritrean Embassy, said,
There are a lot of people who don’t know anything about Eritrea. We are showing a little bit about what our country is all about.
At one time Eritrea and Ethiopia were enemies – now we work together,
she said.
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“I am proud to be Eritrean and be part of a Great Culture and History”
By Milka Teklom
https://shabait.com/2022/05/13/i-am-pro ... d-history/
Q & A
May 13, 2022
Dayanit Haile, was born in Addis Ababa and learned up to sixth grade there. Due to the border conflict, Dayanit had to migrate to the USA. After living in America for a few years, she moved to Canada where she’s still living. She is an active member of the Young People’s Front for Democracy and Justice (YPFDJ) and the National Union of Eritrean Women (NUEW). As a result of her active participation, she was elected in 2021 as the chairperson of Canada’s chapter of NUEW.
Thank you for your time! Although you were born abroad, you speak fluent Tigrinya. What’s the reason, behind this?
The main reason, that I am fluent in Tigrinya is my parents. We were forbidden to speak foreign languages, at home. When we were living in Addis Abeba, we were encouraged to read the
Hadas Eritrea newspaper, daily. We also used to visit Eritrea every summer, which allowed us to practice the language more.
Based on your experience, what are the challenges and opportunities the Eritrean diaspora face; especially the young generation?
Obviously, the challenges and opportunities vary from state to state. Most of the time the challenges outweigh the opportunities when you live away from your country, your people and the place you truly call home. The language barrier is one of the main problems. Life is hectic and you’re always in a rush, inorder to be economically stable. In general, every day is a challenge; as you try to get along with people who are different from you in terms of language, culture and religion. But I dare say that if you are able to tackle all those challenges, there are opportunities that are crucial and fundamental for living a better life. They include, higher education and access to upgraded technology.
As part of the activities you organize with the National Union of Eritrean Women, you have recently contributed a good amount of help to several women living in Eritrea. Enlighten us on that?
Honestly speaking, I don’t think that kind of help is worth mentioning. The idea to provide help was initiated by a member of NUEW,
Akberet, who lives in Edmonton. Her idea was to give back to women, who are in the process of building their lives. When every member of the union and people who were not members supported the idea, we were able to accomplish it in a short period of time. When some of the active members and I came to visit Eritrea, the plan was in full swing. I consider what we did, might serve as an example to all the Eritrean diaspora communities. I believe we all should give back to our country, especially to startuppers; it doesn’t really matter whether what we give is big or small. The things we consider small gestures, could actually bring about great changes in those people’s lives.
Now that you are in Eritrea, what kinds of things were you expecting to experience and were your expectations met?
Everything in Eritrea, has exceeded my expectations. I am very impressed, with the pace of progress our country is making in its development. But what impressed me most, is the awareness of the people in following the Covid-19 guidelines.
I had the privilege to witness the development works accomplished by young women who live in Adi Quala, Mendefera and Keren. I also attended and enjoyed several graduation ceremonies of vocational schools, shows by young artists and panel discussions on current events in Eritrea organized by the National Union of Eritrean Youth and Students. I’m also happy, that I was able to visit the villages where my ancestors used to live in.
My experience has led me to conclude that the Eritrean youth, whether in the army safeguarding the sovereignty of our nation or working in the public sector serving the people, are immensely invested in the development of our country. The love of their country, is very visible in their contribution. We, members of the Eritrean diaspora, owe it to them that we are able to come to our homeland.
Do you think, the Eritrean diaspora are contributing to the national development programs?
Eritreans at home, are contributing all they have to the development of the nation. But as one hand cannot clap on its own, those of us in the diaspora have to do our share. The youth, in particular, should be aware of every situation happening in our country. Inorder to do that, they should be active members of the different Eritrean unions and participate in Eritrean community activities.
Educated Eritreans living and working abroad, should come back to Eritrea and share their knowledge or live and work at home for some time. They should also open bank accounts in the homeland and help develop the country’s economy. The youth should know and cherish Eritrean history, be politically conscious and do their share to present the Eritrean narrative to defeat efforts made by Eritrea’s detractors to denigrate it.
Parents must raise their children to grow up having feelings for Eritrea, and the community should create paths for them to be connected to their homeland.
What’s the source of your leadership?
The source of my ability to lead is the people of Eritrea, especially the history of our heroic fighters during the armed struggle. Also, I have been taking part in every union activity since I could remember. That has allowed me to learn, how things are run and what leadership is.
Do you believe the Eritrean diaspora has an attachment to the same norms, as Eritreans who live inside the country?
One hundred percent; they are still attached to the culture. Especially, women. You should have seen them during annual national festivals, holidays and wedding ceremonies. They are ready to do anything that would make them feel, as if they were back home in Eritrea. They brew Siwa, make porridge and bake injera and himbasha. You can’t imagine, the challenges they face in making those things. But they are so determined to make them, that they inspire everybody to follow in their footsteps.
Any other message?
My last few words, are more like a statement — it’s good to be Eritrean. I am proud to be Eritrean and be part of great culture and history.
Thank you for your time!