Source: NUEYS Magazine

Every summer and particularly in August, Eritreans become extra busy with social events by celebrating the annual Festivals in Eritrea and around the world. The events are major contributors to Eritrean societies around the world with out exception. They play important roles and have become an integral part to the Eritrean way of life worthy of gratitude and source of comfort to all Eritreans for many reasons.

The primary reason for the festivals is Eritrean UNITY! Every thing else is bonus. The benefits fill wide range of needs for all involved. Young Eritreans get to know each other; Eritrean leaders deliver updates and hear from the public, artists display and sell their art; and sports take center stage exciting the young and uniting them. Eritrean restaurants are full, businesses get their share and some get opportunities to network. Eritrean artists sell their newly released CD’s, show-case their talents and get their props or love from their adoring fans on concerts. It is a win-win situation for all involved. And every year the music sounds better and the concerts get livelier.

This year, I had the opportunity to attend festivals in two cities a week apart; in Toronto Canada on the first week of August and a week later in DC; and as you may have guessed, I received my charge.

The purpose of my trip to Canada was to visit family. However, since all my family members were attending the festival in Toronto, I tagged along. The concert was on a Public Park and the music started late while we lollygagged around uninterested. The local Eritrean bands of Toronto finished playing and warmed up the audience. Then all the sudden and to my surprise, I heard familiar music that caught my attention. I turned around and I was looking at this imposing stage with a beautiful sunset rays that beamed from the back of it giving a hallo affect and making it difficult to see who was playing on stage; and attracted by the action I drew closer to the stage.

The music was intense, fun, relentless and it took me a minute to realize I was watching musicians from Eritrea, direct from Asmara. Better yet, it is Brikti Tanki, the legendary musician amongst many. The singer that really rocked the house was Dawit Shilan. He turned the place upside down with his fiery songs that combined the oldies but goodies like Konjitiye, songs from the sixties and Guayla that sent the place into frenzy. I was awed with his intensity and mastery of the traditional Kirar accompanied by energetic base player that moved the place. It was a dream, a dream I didn’t expect to experience with great quality of sound and musical coordination. I was blown away and happy that I tagged along not expecting any thing!

I love music and I love Eritrean music for every thing it represents. I always look forward to attend and enjoy the annual DC festival in Upper Marlboro and every year it seems like the event gets better. This year was special because one my favorite singer, Helen Meles was the featured artist. She didn’t disappoint. It is fulfilling to see hundreds if not thousands flock from their seats on-to the dance floor. Kids, elders, young men and women in Unisom covered the dance floor with a nationalistic fervor that puts any one into a patriotic trance. And the love expressed from the audience to the musicians was a testament to the point I am making.

Once again, I was awed by the quality of music and the coordination of the musicians. I was particularly blown away by the base guitar played by Yemane that hovered on the stage non stop beautifully with minimum breaks and interruption driving those who were dancing crazy. The concerts I attended in combination with newly released CD’s by Bereket Mengisteab, Wedi Tukul, and Tareke Tesfahiwot among others made for a special August musically.

But, what’s the big deal?

Eritrean music and musicians are by far the most patriotic musicians to say the least. And what they endured over the last thirty-plus years was nothing but amazing. They lost their musical resources, lost their physical musical environments, lost their freedom to express their patriotism, they were physically disbursed around the world and to top it there was no institutional support to encourage and nurture them. In other terms it means that the fate of Eritrean music was the fate of Eritrea, it was meant to die!

What is inspiring is the fact that through all these challenges, Eritrean musicians persevered and sustained the musical needs of Eritrea through thick and thin. It did not matter that they could not afford musical equipments, or they lacked the technology, or advanced technical expertise that could have allowed them to keep up with musicians around the world, but they kept feeding us music that we needed; to inspire, console, entertain, love and so on. That is a true legacy of every Eritrean musician with out exception. They gave us music from Meda, Saudi Arabia, Italy, US and from every where around the world consistently.

However, what made this years musical success even more special is the fact that it came on the hills of a major sanctions against the people of Eritrea by the US. Without getting specific and veer-away from my subject; Eritrean music, Eritrean musicians and the people of Eritrea are one of the same. Once again, Eritrean musicians answered the call and gave Eritrea a uniting spirit. The unity many try to weaken unsuccessfully. They try because they don’t understand; they fail to understand Eritrea is for REAL! They can sanction all they want, but it is certain that Eritrea will always find a way. Eritrea can screw a whole some-how, and create an opening to say here we are! A testament of the illusive resilience unseen any where!

Even better, after a successful YPFDJ conference; all those who attended received another opportunity to thank Helen Meles and the band on Sunday August 31st. What was special about that night? To see the young future of Eritrea truly appreciating each other and the music was a blessing. Moreover, the camaraderie amongst them was impregnable! All these, while they hoisted, waved and danced with Eritrean Flag. What a fulfilling and heart warming experience! I Love Erei!!

Source: Africultures, France  

In Eritrea, yes. I work in the Cultural Affairs department in my country. That’s what we do, we organize some intensive courses. Our resources are limited but we organize it.

Born in 1978 in Asmara in a place referred as Alfa Romeo, to a family where an art hardly encouraged but spared after his big brother’s inclination to it. “My father always insisted that I should stay intact with education, and that’s why he attentively inspects on all my educational stuffs,” recalls Hagos Weldeghebriel, better known by his namesake – Suzinino nicknamed after his hilarious comedy he produced in 2003. “The inspiration was like an electric shock”, he continued.  ”I was in Markato and when I pass through Cinema Asmara toward my home, a crowd of people were gathering at the gate; I asked a man as what is up to with the people and he replied that a drama entitled as ‘Mekeret’ was performing there. Without hesitation, I got in and in no time, I felt I should do something to be like them.” In addition to that, as he had trained about writing and directing a drama by National Union of Eritrean Youth and Students along with some of his contemporaries such as Daniel Amare and Mihreteab Girmay, they established Yohana drama club in 1992. Hence, they started to write dramas though; he further says, “My talent, passion and love towards it predate the establishment of the drama club through my brother’s influence.”

“Mizan Fiqurat, my first drama performed along with my class mates in Denden Secondary School, can be taken as a stepping stone toward my career,” he argued. They performed it in various cities like Adi Keyih, Mendefera, May Habar, Dekemhare and others and got high acclamations, he recalls.   Nevertheless, the first drama he produced with Yohana drama club was ‘Serbi‘ authored by Fasil Tesfay, and it was in ‘ FiQri hade deqiQ‘ that he firstly took a comic role, he added. The drama, “directed by me, was a brainchild of Solomon Ghebremedhin (Chico), and it was this very drama that manifested my inner talent-a comedian and since then, along with serious roles, I started to put my comic roles high in my menu” he noted.

“At that time we had a financial constraints to the extent that we sometimes lack money for bus return fare from a tour,” Suzinino’s club cofounder Daniel Amare says.   “Only the passion and love of the art was driving us to produce more on which all expenses were met by us and the costume and other necessary articles were brought from our homes,” he further adds.  

However, Hagos continues, “the credit for boosting my career goes to Sawa Training Camp. It was when I enrolled to 3^rd round; I got the chance to freely exploit my comic talent along with my cultural troupe and the feed back we got from the trainers was further fueled our feelings and enthusiasm to bear such a good performances,” he said. Besides, “for a tongue slip at an occasion where trainers were gathered, ‘Jack’ replaced the very name originally given to me by my parents,” remarks.

 ”Then after, I wrote, directed and acted in many serious and comic dramas, video clips and TV shows and films, yet the video Suzinino I produced in 2003 was the one that introduced me with the public” he says. The morale of the comedy in particular titled as Suzinino, is as simple as what a flashy person would venture into, and the responses we got from it was encouraging and that is the first drama that tipped my career an enhancement and lifted my vigor, Suzinino further added.

Off course, after that along with my drama mates such as Mihreteab Girmay, Ceasar Zaid, Mihret Tesfa Michael, Saleh Mohammed Said and others, we produced a series of TV and Video clips such as Nsha (2002), Hadgat (2003), Suzinino (2003), and with Saimon Beyene
 (Tafla) like Meanta (2004) , Weteto (2006) and soon to be released         Mear  , he continued . Besides as part of my endeavor on producing films, Hagos further noted, he authored and directed Danait and directed and acted in  Simbrat that authored by Salh Mohammed Said; and directed a video clip titled as ‘ Riwyet ‘ which was produced by Teshale Brhane . But, he says, “now I am intensively engaging on a new film, titled as ‘ Ngusat Nail’ “, in which he says, “I am trying to produce it with the current cinematographic techniques and equipments, encompassing a great deal of minor roles ( up to 1000) from all societal strata. The aim, continued he, “is to pave a way and meet with the film standards and participate on FESPACO, the Pan-African Film and Television Festival, held annually in Burkina Faso,”he further says.

“The theoretical and practical courses, we got at Cinema Odeon under the auspices of the Cultural Affairs of the PFDJ, regarding to film production ,cinematography, directing, lighting, sound system, editing and the issue of copy right really helped me on our career,” he further says. At the end of the session, the drama performed by their group titled us ‘Check’, wrote and directed by him, ranked first. The drama, being a metaphor, its message can be summarized as the gloomy life standard of a rich family despite their fortune vis-à-vis the warm and harmonious one of their poor neighbor. Moreover, apart of the 60 plus short TV shows, he either authored or directed ‘ Hyaw Hne, Swr Mistir, Nefri’ among others. In addition, he acted on many festival and Liberation Day ceremonial activities.

Not only did he act in dramas but also wrote many lyrics to some famous Eritrean singers. His song titled as Mahlaki from his first album; a song written to his film, Danait got a wide listener ship. “Many people think that the song was written based on my personal experience, but the truth is in converse,” he argued. “It is merely a romantic experience in which every person at least know about or pass through,” added he. Nevertheless, Hagos continues, “my endeavor is not fully met and I know I should work more, yet the assistance and encouragement from my audience is vital thing,” he stated. And, he adds, “it is a natural thing to encounter immature people who try to impede once vigor and spirit and the right thing one can do, especially an artist, is just to focus and be confident on his/her work” he says.

With the potential, he possesses, along with his striving colleagues amalgamated with constructive criticisms and comments from his audiences, time will show what he is going to bear

Interview conducted in Tigrigna and translated to English by NUEYS Staff

First, let’s start with your nickname, “Qorchach” (kinky hair). How did you get it? Do you hate it? 

I can’t remember exactly who gave me this nickname. But my neighborhood kids used to call me by that name ever since I was young. I believe it has to do with my coarse hair which is kinky. I like it, and don’t mind being called by that name. 

How did you start your singing career? And when? 

Up to the year 2000, I didn’t realize my interest in singing. Before that I was a dancer. I used to repeat the song that we used for dancing in the same voice and tone as the original singers. After hearing my voice, many people encouraged me to sing professionally. Then pushed by my inner urges and outside persuasion, I started singing in 2001. 

How many albums have you released so far? 

Two. They are, “Menalbat” “Entay giere”. (Note: this interview was conducted before the release of qorchach’s latest [third] album “Titsbit Newihuwa”)

Your first album was not distributed inside Eritrea. Why is that? 

I sold the distribution rights for my first album to some businessman. Then I never saw it distributed anywhere. I don’t know the reason. And I’m still waiting. 

What was the feed back or reaction you got from the fans after the release of your second album, “Enatay giere”? 

I got a very positive and encouraging feedback. This has boosted my morale and helped me to continue in my profession as a singer. Although I can’t say it’s perfect, the reaction I got from the fans has been beyond my expectations. 

How do you prepare or write your songs? 

I do not play any musical instruments. So the tunes I write or create have to be sung and memorized inside my head. Then I take them to some musicians and prepare and record them. I also write some lyrics. While writing some of the numbers, I prepare both the music (melody) and the poetry (lyrics) at the same time. For example, the songs, “Adey” and “Entay giere” were done in this fashion. 

Where, when and in what mood do you write the lyrics for your songs? 

I don’t know the reason, but I like quiet and solitude. I want privacy and meditation and enjoying nature. I wrote most of my songs in such situations. I write about some stories I create out of random or sudden inspirations that I get.

Do you use materials (music or lyrics) from other artist? 

Yes, I do. For example my songs “Hesebelu,” “Tsebktey” and “friena” were done by other artists. The first was composed by Yunis Said, the lyrics for the second song, “Tsebektey,” (my beautiful one) by Habtom Hafa, and the third was done by Yohannes Tequabo (lyrics) and melody by Tsegay Gebretensae. 

Tell us what you felt on your first appearance ever as a singer? 

When I started singing I used to copy the style of some singers, such as Dawit (Shelan) and Abrar Osman. In 2001 Dawit arranged for me to sing in Aguadu Sembel (A night club in Asmara). For me that was a dream come true. I sang Abrare’s song “Ayred” and Dawit’s “Semi’ikido.” I enjoyed myself a lot. I don’t know how to describe my feeling at that time. I had mixed emotions of fear, joy and others. When I finished the songs, some people came and encouraged me by saying I did a good job. This was an extra joy for me. 

You perform and dance well on stage. Where did you develop this ability? Do you practice alone? 

As I mentioned earlier, I was first a dancer before I became a singer. Even earlier I had won some awards and prizes for my dancing in various night clubs. When I started singing I enjoy myself by dancing along with my singing. Personally, I like and enjoy dancing. Later in my career the public’s encouragement added fuel to my work. When I’m on the stage dancing, I lose control of myself and I become totally immersed in the act of dancing. 

Do you have any songs (music or lyrics) that you’d copied form abroad (foreign works)? 

To be honest, I have one song whose melody I had added some minor Arabic tune or element. Other than that, I don’t intentionally copy from abroad. 

At what time does your mood for art rise? 

The moment I climb on the stage and hold the mike, I get in the mood for singing and dancing. 

Do you have the time when you feel bad and don’t feel like singing? 

No, I don’t think so. I get in the mood for singing easily enough. 

Do you sometime write songs based on your real life experiences or events? If so what are they, and why did you write them? 

Yes, I do. I have three songs which relate to my personal life directly. These songs are: “Friena,” “Adey” (my mother) and “Entay giere” (What have I wronged?). The first two songs “Friena” and “Entay giere” are related to my personal love life. Like most young people, I fell in love while young. I don’t remember all the details, but I wrote about these experiences. The events are similar to the words in the lyrics. The song entitled “Adey” (my mother) is about my own mother. My mother was cruelly killed by the Ethiopian (Derg) soldiers during the colonial era. When I was young, she used to work in the sack building factory. She was mercilessly shot along with other 20 people by the Ethiopian soldiers. I believe you can easily understand my pain and suffering. I wrote the song in order to remember my mother and all the other mothers who were cruelly killed by the enemy. 

What is your opinion about young singers of your age? Whom do you especially admire? 

Young singers of my age are progressing very fine. I believe that if we work in cooperation, we can produce excellent work which will be famous not only in Eritrea but also in our region as well. I look at them as my mentors and teachers, so I admire them all. But I especially I like and admire Yohannes Tequabo and Dawit Shelan. 

Yes. I am practicing for some songs in English and Arabic. 

How do you explain your character? What type of person are you? 

This question should have been asked to other people who know me. But so far people tell me that I’m modest, gentle and funny (one who enjoys jokes.) 

Do you have any bad habits that you would hate or personally would like to stop? 

Of course, I’m only human. I have this smoking habit that I would like to quit. As for habits in others, I have nothing that I hate in particular. 

What are the characteristics that you like and hate in general? 

I hate people who are low in morale and belittle the work of others, gossips and proud boasters. On the other hand I like people who are optimistic, and have characters who are opposite to the ones I mentioned. 

What types of food do you like? Do you drink alcohol? 

I eat whatever I find. I’m not a chooser. I drink moderately. 

No, I don’t agree. 

Who are your fans mostly? The young or…? 

Yes, my fans are mostly young. But I believe adults or older people also like it. 

What was your ambition when you were young? 

I wanted to be a soccer player. I enjoyed playing soccer. 

What is your opinion about the “Shengrewa” (the TV-ERI program in search for new singers/artists)? 

It is a great program. I feel it has been very late in appearing. I have no doubt that the program will produce many great artists. 

Last question. What advice do you have for your peers concerning HIV/AIDS? 

I say to them: Let us be careful, careful! Careful!