Melaku Belay Returns After TED Talk Success

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, April 17, 2022

Melaku Belay, Director of Fendika Cultural Center, returns to Addis Ababa after presenting at TED’s main conference in Vancouver, Canada. His presentation on April 10 included the first ever Amharic TED talk and an improvised dance performance to the award-winning Hugh Fraser jazz band.

Melaku’s talk and performance received a standing ovation, and sparked many conversations about Ethiopian dance, arts, society, languages, and culture throughout the 4-day conference. Melaku’s thoughts on TED: “I am proud to share my experience of Ethiopian culture and my work with Fendika Cultural Center. The world needs to hear from us, about Ethopia’s rich and diverse cultural heritage, about our creativity in music, dance, visual arts, and about how arts help us heal.”

“I felt comfortable and at home at the conference. The organizers and participants were energetic, friendly, and curious. I felt that I was embraced by a big family of visionaries. Besides the talks, there were many discovery sessions and workshops for people to learn from each other, to exchange ideas.”

As a dancer and choreographer, Melaku found it very encouraging that dance was an important part of this prestigious conference. He was among three choreographers who presented and performed in person. Here in Ethiopia, we need to recognize dance’s potential in helping us understand ourselves, connect to our history, and imagine our future. The government and private sector need to support and nurture dance, music and art in Ethiopia, because they are important for the peace and unity of our society.

“I am proud to represent Ethiopia at TED 2022. Thank you all for your love and support! As always when I travel abroad, my happiest moment is when I returned to Ethiopia. Today’s arrival was even more special as my family and friends surprised me with a beautiful welcome at the airport and at Fendika. Thank you all – Gungun Traditional Band, and all who celebrated with me today!”

In his TED talk and press brief with international journalists before the TED conference, Melaku twice referred to the danger faced by heritage places such as Mercato and Fendika because of the government’s development mandate. Upon arriving in Addis Ababa today, “I was dismayed to learn that many more places are to be destroyed, including magical places like Guramayne Art Centre and studio,” said Melaku, “Being at TED affirmed my belief that our culture and our creativity are our wealth, our future. Economic development does not have to happen at the expense of displacing arts and artists, who are the keepers of our soul and our identity as Ethiopians. I hope everyone wake up before it’s too late to support arts and culture in Ethiopia. I will continue to fight the good fight, along with artists and others who see the importance of heritage and heritage places.”