Pre Eritrean independence Festivals were epitomized by Bologna’s famous Annual Congress and Festival. This tradition has continued to evolve in post Eritrean independence in many countries wherever Eritreans exist. This year’s Western Canada’s Festival in Edmonton, July 27-29, was a continuation of that tradition.

It is intensely interesting to observe how Eritrean Festivals in the pre-independence era at first reflected the political oppression of occupation that our country was facing, and the political discourses and seminars organized by cadres, which had their themes as the slow toil of long years of struggle for independence, reflected the political turmoil of the age, intended in carving a perfect patriotic sentiments on citizens. At that time most Eritrean political discourses have a cheering message, full of beauty and hope and inspiration. Then, when Ethiopian occupation was over and Eritrea began her mighty work of reconstruction, how festivals suddenly developed a new creative spirit of entertaining the diasporas, which shows itself in the modernization of our music based in romantic impressions of sensual poetry of love, betrayal, and triumphs. This gave the festival the charm of novelty, by awakening the mind’s attention from the lethargy of political discussion and directing it to the loveliness and the wonders of the world before us.

It was only after Wayane invasion of our country that Eritreans, once more, entered the revival of the old spirit of struggle in our festivals. With that the voice of a whole people, expressing in exquisite melody their doubts and their faith, their grief and their triumphs returned. Once again our leaders and our musicians, with the same intensity as in the pre-independence era, have become the voice of Eritrea, standing up in the face of all obstacles and saying ‘we can and we will”(remember wedi Tikabo Egermenallo). So the festival is reborn again, expressing, though in a different way, exactly the same ideals of nationalism and reconstruction as in the Eritrea’s pre-independence era.

Now our leaders and our musicians, because of their invincible will and optimism, they are regarded as poets who have spoken the strongest word of faith to an age of doubt. Their energy, their cheerful courage, their faith in life and in the development of the country have provided, both at home and abroad, tremendous influence upon the minds of patriotic Eritreans. We appreciate their careful patriotic songs and exquisite melody, their wide range of thought and feeling, their eager search for truth, especially the note of freshness and vitality, which they have given to Eritrean Festivals.

The basic measure of a nation is to be found in the quickening brilliance of its creativity and in the inspired craft of those who plumb the depths of imagination in endless search for insight and understanding and mobilization.

Those who have organized the Festival in Edmonton, for the second time, guided by intense principles and an acute political sense, have made brilliant strategic and political calculation by transferring the location of the Festival from Saskatoon to Edmonton, in a simple and intense quest to mobilize and define the rhythm and awesome grandeur of our country ‘s difficult and compelling beauty to a larger audience.

Through their acute and prolific efforts we have been blessed with a tremendous number of young participants representing many parts of Canada in a way that infuses us with pride and understanding while humbling the narcissistic arrogance of the traitors and regionalists present in that town.

Now Edmonton is populated by young, vigorous and passionate Eritreans of stature. Through their unique eyes of genius and political maturity we have been graciously shown the meaning of unity and inner secrets of the Eritrean soul.

The vigour of initiative, the fierceness of loyalty, the obligations of generosity, the insatiable will to support the people and government of Eritrea - such are the characteristics that define this unique festival in Edmonton. Such are the attributes that define the people of Edmonton.

It is the peoples courage and tenacity and the love of the heart that have brought forth brilliant sunlight to shine upon the reality of this year’s Festival in Edmonton. In so doing, they have enthusiastically disturbed the complacent and willfully pricked the consciences of the unfeeling.

Through inspiration, firm leadership and prodigious hard work Eritrea is shining in self-expression and confident accomplishments. Its quest for just, sane and peaceful world has been undiminished by the passage of time.

Let us celebrate the achievement of the Eritrean Festival in Edmonton, and give thanks to all the people who have participated for their worm optimism and exquisite vision by rejecting antiquated tradition of division and regionalism and supporting the people and government of Eritrea. Let us celebrate their willingness to stand out, to stand up and to speak out for the people and government of Eritrea. They are dutiful citizens, visionary patriots of the Eritrean soul, and exemplar to Eritreans all over the world.

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