Asmara Eritrea - May 23rd 2003

 

I decide to do the four kilometers to the center of Asmara on foot. To watch the shop windows, experience the people, meet the unexpected. I visit some friends close to the center. I must have lunch with them and drink araki. I will stay with them tonight, close to the celebrations.

At 12:00 I walk to the party tent close to Harnet Avenue. I am welcomed by the organizing committee. The offer me a coke and the best seat in the tent. The band starts to play and soon people are dancing. I am invited to dance. And I do. I leave my video bag on the stage. It must be safe there with so many witnesses.

 Dancing is simple. In this ambiance it is great to feast with the Eritrean people. I borrow a Netzala from one of the women and I do my best to dance like an Eritrean. It is most appreciated. As a reward some of the guests stick Nakfa notes in the collar of my shirt, the traditional reward for a dancer or a musician. Me, a rich tourist, is making money by dancing! I feel a bit ashamed, but on the other hand very happy. I do not know what to do with the Nakfa notes. I give them to the musicians in the tent.

At 17:00 the party is over. A band marches and plays in Harnet Avenue. I return to the house of Gebrehiwot and Zeuwdi. Again there is am extensive meal. I ask Luwam if she can record the news on a video tape I bought. Nice souvenir and present for Mebrat when I return in a few days. To my big surprise I recognize myself on ERI-TV dancing with the Eritreans. Mebrat will be proud.

Just before midnight many thousands of Eritreans gather on Harnet Avenue. The bells of the Catholic Cathedral strike twelve times. The public reacts counting in Tigrinya. "Hade, kelete, seleste, arba'ate, hamushte, shidushte, showate, shomonte, ti'showate, aserte, aserte hade, aserte kelete!". It's party time!

 

Celebrating 12 years liberation - party tent Harnet Avenue Asmara.

Celebrating 12 years liberation - party tent Harnet Avenue Asmara.

Congratulations - 12th anniversary of liberation - May 24th 2003.

Celebrating 12 years liberation - party tent Harnet Avenue Asmara.

Celebrating 12 years liberation - party tent Harnet Avenue Asmara.

Celebrating 12 years liberation - party tent Harnet Avenue Asmara.

Celebrating 12 years liberation - party tent Harnet Avenue Asmara.

Celebrating 12 years liberation - party tent Harnet Avenue Asmara.

Celebrating 12 years liberation - party tent Harnet Avenue Asmara.

Celebrating 12 years liberation - Harnet Avenue Asmara.