/May 2, 2010,
Washington DC/
A-day-long annual event dubbed DC Passport, highlighting Ethiopian cultural
and social extravaganza which attracted close to 6,000 residents of the
Washington Metropolitan hub was colorfully held in the premises of the
Ethiopian Embassy here today.
The festival was accompanied by a colorful display of Ethiopian traditional
coffee ceremony, authentic and organic Ethiopian cuisine, raw and roasted
Ethiopian coffee and other cultural beverages and drinks. The open house
program was also bolstered by the presentation of Ethiopian made apparel
products, bags designed by local Ethiopian seamstress, Ethiopian music
CDs and DVDs, children's books and other tools of learning and delicious
Ethiopian cookies and pastries.
The occasion that included modern and traditional music by Ethiopian artists
and musicians gave an added impetus to the celebration with recorded ancient
Ethiopian album and the screening of a film entitled "Discovering
Ardi". This documentary film which was produced by the world class
and renowned Discovery channel, depicts the fossilized skeletal remains
of a female, Ardipithecus ramidus, an early human-like species 4.5 million
years old, referred to as the most complete early hominid specimen, discovered
in Ethiopia corroborating for the second time, next to the early human
remains known as Lucy, that Ethiopia is the origin of Humanity.
The visitors who have been doubling in number since the program was launched
three years ago were entertained by an array of other programs including
a visit of the pictorial exhibition depicting the reach and diverse historical,
cultural, wildlife, fauna and flora and environmental heritage of Ethiopia.
A slide and film presentation also brought to light the current multi-faceted
effort demonstrating the strides made in the overall development of the
country and the impressive result attained in good governance, democracy
and the comprehensive steps that are being taken to make the up-coming
election, fair, free, peaceful and credible.
The Deputy Ambassador of the Embassy of Ethiopia Mr.Tesfaye Yilma, Ms. Linda
Harper, Executive Director, Cultural Tourism DC, and the entire staff members
of the Embassy were on hand to welcome the visitors. /Tsehaye Debalkew/
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