Our Cultural Affairs Director Monica Manaker met Ethiopian and Israeli artists for collaboration projects.
She met in Addis Ababa with the award-winning Ethiopian photographer Aida Muluneh from Desta For Africa Creative Consulting PLC (DFA). They discussed cooperation between our Embassy and her upcoming projects.
Earlier, Monica also met with the Israeli painter Shai Azulay in Jerusalem. They talked about plans to exhibit his works and do workshops in March 2015 in Addis Ababa. Azoulay – recipient of the Tel Aviv Museum prize and the Mazes Prize – studied at Bezalel art academy; showed his works at Israel and Tel Aviv museums and galleries in Israel, New York, and Rome.
Monica will in addition collaborate with Ethiopian acclaimed piano and keyboard player, Samuel Yirga who took part in the Red Sea Festival in Eilat, Israel. Samuel, according to Monica’s recommendation, has been selected by our Embassy to participate at an initiative of our Permanent Mission of Israel to the UN in Addis Ababa – a musical project: 'United Pianos,' a celebration of unity through music, and a unique 2-3 minute video project starring ten pianists from around the world, simultaneously performing a musical piece while in their country of origin. A special rendition of the song has been prepared by Israeli songwriter and pianist Idan Raichel.
The video is arranged to piece together footage of various pianists performing the song from different angles in a place of their choosing. The footage will then be edited to appear as if all ten pianists are playing one piano simultaneously –– twenty hands, one musical piece.
(Left to right) Aida Muluneh, Shai Azulay, Samuel Yirga