Symposium to Consolidate Cultural Ties b/n Ethiopia, Eritrea Held

Addis Ababa August 17/2018 A symposium aimed at enhancing cultural and people-to-people ties between the peoples of Ethiopia and Eritrea was held in Addis Ababa. The symposium is part of the efforts being held to resume people-to-people relationships, which was halted two decades ago due to the two-year border conflict. Culture and Tourism Minister Foziya Amin said cultural values and integration are crucial to cement the restored relations between the two countries. “Culture is an essential element like a cement or glue to build strong relation and integration between the peoples,” she said adding that the peoples of the two countries share similar culture, languages, religions, clothing and social values. Cultural exchanges such as theatres, bazaar and symposiums will be held in the future in order to further consolidate the restored ties, she added. State Minister of Culture and Tourism, Buzunesh Meseret also said “Ethiopians and Eritreans have historic, cultural and people-to-people ties and they are ‘one people’ living in two different countries.” This conference and symposium is among the beginnings of various efforts underway to fill the gap created due to two decades of separation, Buzunesh Meseret stated. During the symposium, Ethiopian and Eritrean academicians have presented papers mainly on common cultural values and challenges that need to be addressed. The academicians urged the need for both countries to co-host various events  that would help consolidate people-to-people ties. Noting that things have been difficult for the two countries to continue their ties in the past, Yisaq Yoseph, academician from Eritrea, urged the need to institutionalize the tie. “All sectors need to create relations to conceal the gaps created within the past 20 years as many things were messed up,” he told ENA. Another Eritrean young man, Sibhatleab Abraha said such kind of symposium would create an opportunity to strengthen the people-to-people relationship. “This conference and symposium helps us to facilitate the peace process, especially if it extends to regions. We need to work for the prevalence of peace in both countries,” he added. Ethiopian artists, religious leaders and authors as well as Eritrean refugees residing in Addis Ababa have attended the symposium, which was organized by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism..