Fall of the Derg
Last week Ethiopia celebrated the fall of the Derg regime (on 28 May on the international calendar to be precise). The Derg (which means committee in Amharic) was the bloody … Continue reading
Addis 1960s Architecture
I recently attended a conference at the Goethe Institute on 1960s architecture in Addis. Addis may not be known internationally for its architecture, however it has some unique examples of … Continue reading
Expat life carries on as AU celebrates its 50th anniversary
I don’t need to mention that Addis Abeba was in the news this weekend with the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the African Union, the pan-African organisation based in … Continue reading
Job not permitted
There are days I really have no inspiration to write so limited my life in Addis feels. If I didn’t constantly make an effort to get out to expose myself … Continue reading
Ethiopia in America
Back into my golden cage after a temporary escape to NYC. Hard to come back after two weeks of freedom. To my surprise, what I enjoyed the most there wasn’t … Continue reading
Women in Addis (V): Amakeletch and La Parisienne pastry shop
Amakeletch Teferi is another woman entrepreneur who runs a successful business in Addis. Initially trained as an agronomist, she set up the chain of café-bakeries La Parisienne a with her family 15 … Continue reading
Women of Addis (IV): Bethlehem and her soleRebels organic shoes
Everybody in Addis is wearing soleRebels shoes or sandals, the fair trade shoes developed a few years ago by young woman entrepreneur Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu. At just 32, she is … Continue reading
Women of Addis (III): Mitslal and her ECOPIA jam and soap
I met Mitslal Kifleyesus-Matschie for the first time last year in the café at the Hilton. At the time, she was moving back permanently to Ethiopia after many years living … Continue reading
Women of Addis (II): Hiruth Gougsa’s MELA label
Inspired by the Alene sisters, Hiruth Gougsa set up her own business making handbags made in Ethiopia, which she sells in her attractive ethnic store in the Bole area. For … Continue reading
Salambo in Addis 