August 2019
16 CloseUp: An interview with Chef Yohanis, a TV personality and healthy living advocate EatUp: Rotterdam a restaurant excelling in both areas of cuisine Page 14 FollowUp: Black Sounds of Freedom Celebrating HIM Haile Selassie I’s 127th birthday Page 09
04 05 08 09 14 12 Editor’s Letter
Headsup
Thumbsup
August Events Calendar
Followup
Black Sounds of Freedom: HIM’s Birthday at Villa Verde
16 Closeup
Interview with Chef Yohanis
Eatup
Catchup
Restaurant Review Rotterdam
International Event Harare International Festival of the Arts
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Reelup
Cinema Review
Hyatt Regency Wellness Center
Kiremt is not the most ideal season for event organizers in Ethiopia. Despite that many of us are on holidays and it seems going to events might seem to be the best thing we can do with the ample extra time we have, when it comes to leaving warm, sweet home to attend an event happening somewhere, many of us are more than hesitant. With all this, we have seen pretty successful events with a fair to impressive turnout in July. HIM Haileselassie’s Birthday on 23 July, the rebranded Wax Fridays at Pallet, Volunteers’ Recruitment event at Century Mall, the evergreen Zodiac Series at Face of Addis were among the most successful. Well, the most impressive one was the Green Legacy event initiated by HE Abiy Ahmed (Dr.). LinkUp Addis would like to congratulate all Ethiopians who took part in this landmark initiative to be part of a rare history. Moving forward, from where we see it, August seems promising. And not just about parties. Some events you might want to check out in August are the Investment Exhibition at Sapphire, Zodiac at Face of Addis and Organic Farmers’ Market day at Nathani. Stay Connected with LinkUp as even more is in the tunnel.
Eyob Workineh Editor-in-Chief
Editor in chief: Eyob Workineh eyob@linkupaddis.com Marketing Director: Eyasu Abdella eyasu@linkupaddis.com Project and Social Media Manager: Fikreab Dagne fikrabdagne@gmail.com Creative Director: Benny Yoseph benny@linkupaddis.com Social Media Associates: Venture Addis
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Cover photo: Sami Studio
01-16 AUGUST2019 • Tsedenia live Every Thursday Metro Club, Hyatt regency, 09:00pm
• Ethio-Investment Exhibition Sapphire Addis Hotel, 08:00am
• Art Exhibition-Home Away from Home Featuring Liberian Artist: Mai'yah Ambiance Restaurant & Cafe , 02:00pm
• Heads shots & happy hour Ice Addis , 02:00pm
• Negarit Concert Fendika Azmari Bet , 08:00pm
• KAŸN LAB Concert Fendika Azmari Bet, 08:00pm
• REGGAE SUNDAY with Ras Jany every Sunday Metro club Hyatt regency, 09:00pm
• Vibranium Vybez 2.0 Villa Verde , 06:30pm
• 3 PHASE electro cocktail night powered by Castel beer Esco Bar , 10:00pm
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• Yonas bodybuilding and Bikini show Presents the 1st Bodybuilding competition ever in Ethiopia Hilton hotel, 04:00pm
• Dibekulu live Every Saturday night Metro club Hyatt regency, 09:00pm
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• Free Art Felega- Panel discussion Goethe Institute, 04:00pm
• CINE-CLUB Every Wednesday night Louvre hotwl, 08:00pm
• Couch surfing meet up every (Thursday night) Mad vervet, 07:00pm
• QUIZ NIGHT (every Tuesday) Ramada Hotel Oak Bar, 08:00pm
• Chelina Live Every Wednesday night Metro Club, Hyatt regency, 09:00pm
• karaoke and open mic (every Thursday night ) Viking Bar & Restaurant, 09:00pm • Tsedenia live Every Thursday Metro Club, Hyatt regency, 09:00pm
5 • Acoustic Night Babi's Bistro, Bisrate Gabriel, 06:30pm
6 • Dibekulu live Every Saturday night Metro club Hyatt regency, 09:00pm
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• REGGAE SUNDAY with Ras Jany every Sunday Metro club Hyatt regency, 09:00pm
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• UN CAREER FAIR 2019 UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE CENTER UNECA, 09:00am
• Fintech Addis Exhibtion & Forum Africa Hall and ECA Conference Center, 04:00pm
• Fintech Addis Exhibtion & Forum Africa Hall and ECA Conference Center, 04:00pm
• QUIZ NIGHT (every Tuesday) Ramada Hotel Oak Bar, 08:00pm
• Zodiac Series:LEO Face of Addis , 02:30pm
• Tsedenia live Every Thursday Metro Club, Hyatt regency, 09:00pm
• Chelina Live Every Wednesday night Metro Club, Hyatt regency, 09:00pm
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17-31 AUGUST2019 • Dibekulu live Every Saturday night Metro club Hyatt regency, 09:00pm
• QUIZ NIGHT (every Tuesday) Ramada Hotel Oak Bar, 08:00pm
• REGGAE SUNDAY with Ras Jany every Sunday Metro club Hyatt regency, 09:00pm
17 • Cheina Live Every Wednesday night Metro Club, Hyatt regency, 09:00pm
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• Dibekulu live Every Saturday night Metro club Hyatt regency, 09:00pm
• Tsedenia live Every Thursday Metro Club, Hyatt regency, 09:00pm
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• REGGAE SUNDAY with Ras Jany every Sunday Metro club Hyatt regency, 09:00pm
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23 • QUIZ NIGHT (every Tuesday) Ramada Hotel Oak Bar, 08:00pm
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• Tsedenia live Every Thursday Metro Club, Hyatt regency, 09:00pm
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24 • Chelina Live Every Wednesday night Metro Club, Hyatt regency, 09:00pm
27 • Dibekulu live Every Saturday night Metro club Hyatt regency, 09:00pm
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Thumbsup Kidus Assefa
Gallery Name: Alem Gallery and Coffee
Bakery Name: Enrich Bakery
Among all the art display spaces in Addis, it is no question Alem Gallery stands out. Visitors are welcomed by very friendly staff members and artists. Once settled, you will have a blank sheet and some pencils on your table or books and magazines to choose from on the book shelf. They encourage visitors to draw or doodle on the paper provided, as the community at Alem believes art is the best therapy for the soul. Alem also serves as a venue for community events such as the weekly poetry nights and public lectures as well as art classes.
In today's saturated service market Enrich Bakery is a breath of fresh air as it provides multiple options and all-inclusive experience. From its variety of baked goods (including plenty of healthier alternatives such as barley, oat and teff-based pastry to fast food, pasta dishes, fresh fruit juices and coffee accompanied by its calm atmosphere, it is an ideal place to meet people over breakfast, brunch, lunch or even an early dinner. The availability of its parent company's products at factory price also draws people while its exemplary service and soothing jazz music will definitely make you want to stay.
Facebook: Alem Gallery and Art School Tel: +251 (0) 91 136 1338 Location: Gerji taxi tera, in front of Commercial bank On Google maps? Yes Clothing &Accessories Name: Kunjina Kunjina is a womenswear and unisex brand that sells casual everyday-wear pieces for stylish and up-to-date fashion admirers from around the world. Kunjina was launched in 2017 and is dedicated to changing the perceived image of locally made products by providing high quality unique pieces. The brand also aims to make ready-towear products that promote African art and culture by adding crafted touches. Kunjina targets people within the age range of 20-50 and is affordable for middle – high income customers. Its founder Kunjina Tesfaye is an award winning model and designer. Facebook: Kunjina.official Tel: +251 (0) 93 906 3358 Location: Grace Plaza, on the road from Bole Medhanealem to Atlas On Google maps? Yes
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Facebook: Not available Tel: + 251 (0)91 172 1272 Location: Gurd Shola, next to Ethio Ceramics building On Google maps? Yes
FollowUp
Black Sounds of Freedom: HIM’s Birthday at Villa Verde Eyasu A. Ashenafi uly 23 is a special day for the followers of Ras Tafarianism around the world and all Ethiopians who care enough to look back and celebrate the rich Ethiopian history. On this day in 1892, the originally Lij Teferi Mekonnen, later Haile Selassie I, the first of his name and the last king of the Solomonic dynasty was born in a small village called Ejersa Goro near Harar. He was destined to change Ethiopia’s history once and for all. And we were at Villa Verde, the only venue in Addis smart enough to recognize the value of events to the community, to celebrate and honor his legacy. The event, Black Sounds of Freedom: Haile Selassie’s 127th birthday. For many, this wasn’t just another party. It was rather a celebration of life itself, and for the followers of Ras Tafarianism, who by some estimates are as big as 1 million around the globe, it was a ritual. When Trensetthas Sound System, the event organizer, announced the event early in July, there was no mistaking it would be a success. In fact, it was more than a success that Tuesday night. As one might easily imagine, Reggae
ruled the evening. With Edom emceeing with an extraordinary spirit and energy, the night kicked off with Ethiopian Records with his exceptional performance and mastery of stage followed by Zion Rebels, an Ethiopian band specializing in hip hop, reggae and African tunes. The Ethiopian reggae veteran Sydney Salmon also blessed the night with his band Imperial Majestic Band. The Ethiopian artist Pamfalon released his new album 11-11-11 to be followed by the Jamaican star Keida who received huge applaud from the audience for extraordinary performance. The night was ecstatic and hugely celebratory. And the Framed picture of the emperor high at the wall was where all eyes were set. The organizers did a great job of combining a live band performance with DJ sets keeping the audience enjoyed with the music and the overall vibe. The night wasn’t short of good treats too. Choma Grill, the new hub for BBQ lovers was there with its usual hospitality and excellence. Besides Bake Shop who were selling cupcakes at the event, the organizers were selling T-shirts branded Black Sounds of Freedom. This was a night that proved once again,
“The Framed picture of the emperor high at the wall was where all eyes were set.”
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Photo by: Abenezer Geleta (Ras Studio)
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for all to see, the uniting power of shared history, and the value of events in creating the opportunity for people to celebrate their history together and march for a brighter future. With an Ethiopia that looks more divided than ever, it’s our shared history and our common future that unites us all. The entire night, one could feel the love, the brotherhood (and, of course, sisterhood) among the over 600 people at the event. The only one criticism going around was the slightly steep entrance fee, especially for a reggae event which mostly doesn’t go over a couple hundred in Addis. Well, 300 was worth it. When the event ended around 1:00am, it only felt unfair despite the fact that it actually started at 7:00 pm and went on for straight 6 hours. Kudos to all who were part of the organizing team. Happy birthday to HIM. We look forward to seeing such unity more often everywhere.
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With an Ethiopia that looks more divided than ever, it’s our shared history and our common future that unites us all.
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Photo: www..lomography.com
Photo by: Abenezer Geleta (Ras Studio)
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CatchUp
Harare International
Festival of the Arts Bezawit Shewarega
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The Healing Power of the Arts
Photo By: Macpherson Photographers /HIFAco.uk
arare International Festival of Arts unleashed by HIFA brings light and hope (HIFA) is a 6-day annual festival and and banishes darkness and despair. It workshop programme that showcases enables the people of Zimbabwe to show the very best of local, regional and the world their resilience and strength in international arts and culture the face of adversity. It enables in a comprehensive festive them to show that this country “the best programme of theatre, is indeed unique in its character organized dance, music, circus, street and its people’s qualities such festival in the performance, fashion, spoken as hospitality, generosity and sub-continent friendship. It is a beacon to word and visual arts. There and one of is more to HIFA than just the world saying, come and performances. It has come share what makes our country the most to be an important symbol great; come and share our manageably of something positive about brotherhood and sisterhood; diverse.” Zimbabwe, unifying socially come and share our love of the and culturally disparate arts and humanity. groups of Zimbabweans at a Harare International time of ideological conflict and political Festival of the Arts is probably the best uncertainty bringing huge audiences organized festival in the sub-continent together to celebrate something positive and one of the most manageably diverse. – the healing and constructive capacity of Since its inception in 1999, it has received the arts. recognition for its support of arts and culture in Zimbabwe and is seen as a major For a nation like Zimbwabwe that has contributor to development in this area, for long been in deep political instabilities, and its largest arts initiative. the explosion of artistic creativity The Festival powerfully engages local,
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“For a nation like Zimbwabwe that has for long been in deep political instabilities, the explosion of artistic creativity unleashed by HIFA brings light and hope…”
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The Festival powerfully engages local, regional and international recognition for Zimbabwe’s cultural diversity...
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Photo: www.hifa.co.zw
regional and international recognition for Zimbabwe’s cultural diversity and capacity to achieve the highest standards of artistic presentation. It brings together corporate investors, embassy and donor partners, local and visiting artists, large and enthusiastic audiences, and the media. The Festival proudly and joyfully celebrates the best of Zimbabwe. Due to several factors, HIFA will not stage the event in 2019 and will focus on new projects leading up to a major Festival in 2020. “The decision has been taken after much thought, soul-searching and discussion. Zimbabwe is dealing with many important issues, both social and economic,” the festival’s organizers explain, “In this context, we cannot responsibly commit to presenting a feasible and viable event this year of the same quality and impact that HIFA is known for.” The Festival will use this time to work on other projects, particularly in schools, to broaden and deepen the organization’s contribution to arts and cultural development. The continent looks forward to celebrating the amazing Zimbabwean creative community. The event is scheduled to take place from 28 April-3 May 2020.
EatUp
Rotterdam Lounge and Restaurant Surafel Solomon
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otterdam Lounge and Restaurant is a new establishment located around Bole Medhane Alem. The restaurant and kitchen occupy the ground floor, of the G+2 building, with a crisp and restrained design that is not fussy but to the point. It is also in full view of the streets revealing the restaurant to the streets and the street to the restaurant. On the floor above, there is a semi open bar/lounge. Offering a wide variety of both Ethiopian and European dishes, Rotterdam is one of the rare restaurants that delivers exceptional quality in both areas of cuisine serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Photo By: Nebiyu Sultan
Our first dish was a platter commonly known as 'Maheberawi' presented with a variety of traditional Ethiopian food. Though they also offer a fasting version which is no less exquisite, our choice was the non-fasting version. Our meal consisted of: Gomen be 'siga', 'Kitfo' , 'Tibs', Alicha and qey minchet , Bozena Shiro , Doro wot and Ayie be kibe . The Gomen Be Siga is collard greens
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cooked with cubed beef that is a variation of a fasting staple, which is just the collard greens, that has become as important. This is a great dish by itself but really plays well mixed with other Ethiopian dishes. The kitfo, which is minced meat that is traditionally seasoned with butter and spices and is served either raw, rare or well cooked, is on par with restaurants dedicated to serving this dish only. For any foreigners, this dish could be best described as an Ethiopian take on beef tartare, but worlds apart in my opinion because of the amount and diversity of spices that go into the making of this dish. The tibs, which is sautéed chunks of beef, is cooked to perfection maintaining its juicy tenderness. The Alicha and qey minchet is a minced beef stew served two ways, either spicy or non spicy. The Alicha being the non-spicy one resembling a curry like color and the Qey Wot, which literally translates to red stew and has Berberie, a mixture of as many as, sometimes more than, 16 different spices. Bozena shiro a stew made with chickpea powder and a mix of other
Location: Around Bole Medihanalem and Bole high school On Google Maps? No Service /label: Restaurant & Lounge Opening Hours: All week Restaurant: 08:30am - 11:30pm Lounge: 06:30pm - 03:00am Facebook: @Rotterdam-Addis Instagram: @rotterdam_addis Phone Number: +251 97 075 6475
“Rotterdam is one of the rare restaurants that delivers exceptional quality in both areas of cuisine serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.”
"What makes this omelet special is that the filling is Tibs , the sautéed chunks of beef, making it a hearty and fulfilling meal."
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Photo By: Nebiyu Sultan
spices with the addition of small pieces of meat is to me, and this is a sentiment I share with few people, one of the best Ethiopian dishes. And it is done proper justice at Rotterdam. Finally, the star of the platter, a dish the manager tells me has become a favorite of patrons, what could be called Ethiopia’s national dish, the Doro Wot and Aibe. This spicy and flavorful chicken stew is a holiday staple and a comfort food to its core. Paired with Aibe (dry cottage cheese) to cool down the heat of the Doro Wot, it is as balanced as a dish comes. All in all, this platter, as depicted in “The Simpsons” is a true party in your mouth. From the European/Asian section we had a special omelet, Lasagna, chicken curry, chicken with brown sauce, and grilled chicken. From the breakfast section of the menu, which is entirely dominated by foreign dishes, we had the special omelet. What makes this omelet special is that the filling is Tibs (the sautéed chunks of beef), making it a hearty and fulfilling meal. The lasagna, though not served in a claypot, which is a personal preference and not a standard of any sort, was on point to say the least. We then had three different types of chicken dishes. First the chicken curry dish, maybe the closest dish to resemble Ethiopian cuisine, because of its sauce that is packed with spices and flavor, with tender bits of chicken that just melt in your mouth. I was quite disappointed with the portion, but in fairness I don’t think I would have had enough of any portion served to me. The next dish, the grilled chicken was on the dry side but seasoned well. The last dish we had was chicken with brown sauce. Brown sauce being one of the “five Mother sauces” of classic French cuisine tastes tart and peppery, a combination that is new to me but went very well with the chicken. The overall hygiene is great, and this simple and elegant restaurant with a bar on the floor above feels like home. When the music slowly seeps from the bar above, we were drawn to check it out. But that’s a story for another time. If you can’t wait, go and check it for yourself.
CloseUp
Chef Yohanis Mistre Tekaligne
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V personality and healthy eating advocate, Chef Yohanis, has been using local and international platforms to bring to light Ethiopia’s rich culinary history since he moved back to Ethiopia in 2013. Linkup sat down with him to discuss his intriguing journey. Enjoy. What was your first job in the culinary world? My very first job was actually at the opera. I used to welcome people and just watch the whole show and make sure that everything was running smoothly. But in the culinary industry, my first job was at Le Miramar – a seafood specializing fine dining restaurant in Marseille, where I got my biggest experience as a chef. What is the motivation that drives your culinary passion?
Photo: Sami Studio
I use food as a platform to express art. Once I received my bachelor’s degree in
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visual arts and came back to Ethiopia, I realized that if I wanted to make a career out of being a chef, I would have to focus only on the small portion of the population, which would be the elite. But I wanted to do something that would involve a much bigger part of my community as I want gastronomy to be available to everyone. What drew you to the Ethiopian culinary scene? Back in 2013, I used to work in Starwood Properties. Usually, once you start working there, your career is set; you travel around the world working for this huge company. So I was taken care of. But when I was at the St. Regis, I saw my executive chef using “Berbere”. It made me stop and question myself. For me, it wasn’t just about cooking in the international arena, it was about understanding my culture and bringing my own value into it. So I decided to go back to Ethiopia and start a TV show.
“I am concerned about the value we, as Ethiopians, give to the hospitality industry”
Where do you draw your inspiration for your signature move of blending the modern with the traditional? The base is the TV Show. The “Chef Yohanis Qegnet” TV Show is a culinary and lifestyle entertainment show which allows us to travel across Ethiopia looking for the best food practices. We are inspired by the know-how and ingredients that we see and use that as a learning curve to come back to my kitchen and create something new based on what we saw. For example, in Lalibela, there is a bread they make out of oat. It’s a thin bread, almost like injera, but because oat has gluten, the bread is more elastic and lacks the popped bubble texture of injera (which adds flexibility and makes it easier to clump more stew with it). So, as they cook, they gather around the griddle and whistle. They do this so that the sound vibrations from the whistles break the air bubbles trapped in the dough, to give it that popped bubble texture. Ethiopia has such a rich history and culinary legacy that we have so much to offer to the world, but we are kind of forgetting that. My co-writer actually came to Ethiopia to check the facts because he didn’t believe it. We did the trials, where I whistled on my side and he didn’t on his. There was bubbles on my side but none on his. What are some of the challenges you have faced in your journey?
the value we, as Ethiopians, give to the hospitality industry; what service means, what cooking means and how people see it. In France, a chef is well respected and valued for his work. So a lot of chefs dedicate their lives to the service industry. In Ethiopia however, even servers are barely acknowledged when they come to the table. Which shows that cooking and service isn’t yet given much value unless it is media related.
“it’s our duty to convey our traditions to the next generation.”
What are some of the projects that you are currently working on? I just finished a tour for my book “Ethiopia: Recipes and Traditions from the Horn of Africa”. The book explores Ethiopian recipes along with their history and helps readers understand why our cuisine is shaped the way it is now, why we have so many vegetarian options, why we don’t have enough sweets and how different regions, climates, religions impacted the cuisine. It comprises 80% of traditional recipes and 20% of my own interpretation. I am also working at the Hyatt Regency where I have my signature menu. For any corporate or social event, people can request my menu. They can even have me cook there live. We are also in the works to start cooking classes at their hotel beginning on 1st September, 2019. And I have another TV Show right now called Addis Guaro, which airs on Kana TV.
“I wanted to do something that would involve a much bigger part of my community as I want gastronomy to be available to everyone.”
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Photo: Sami Studio
Primarily, I struggle with the consistent availability and quality of ingredients. Additionally, I am concerned about
I am about to open my first healthy fast food chain restaurant called “Misaka” (Amharic for lunch box) scheduled to debut in January, 2020. As the condominium life is growing on a daily basis and people don’t have the time or money to cook at home, and they can’t afford fine dining on a regular basis, fast food is becoming an important part of food service. Other than that, the book is being translated in to German and Italian languages. We are working on releasing the Amharic edition of the book, in collaboration with GIZ Institute. It will maintain the same quality as the UK Edition, but it will be available at a more affordable price. Do you have any other message that you would like to share with our readers?
Photo: Sami Studio
One thing I would like for people to know, especially the diaspora community, is that it’s our duty to convey our traditions to the next generation. Not just for them to know how to cook but to also understand who they are and the values that their ancestors stood for.
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Do you have any new projects in the pipeline?
Ethiopia has such a rich history and culinary legacy that we have so much to offer to the world, but we are kind of forgetting that
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What'sUp
Hyatt Regency Wellness Center Mistre Tekaligne
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n today’s rushed lifestyle, the need to periodically revitalize ones health has become more apparent than ever. There are various ways to keep ourselves healthy and fit, and the use of wellness centers is one among them. Located on the first floor of the Hyatt Regency is one of Addis Ababa’s most luxurious wellness centers. As you walk out of the elevator on the first floor, on the left is where the gym, swimming pool and lounge are located while on the right is the spa. I first made my way to the gym where one of the trainers, Asresé, graciously gave me a thorough tour of the gym. The high ceiling gym has a built in air conditioning system to encourage a fresh environment for working out. It has a beautiful view of the swimming pool on one side and the city on the other. A variety of brand new Life Fitness equipment occupies the room. Each equipment comes with a
clear pictorial depiction of how to operate the machines, as well as, a QR Code that can be scanned by a smartphone to track information such as the machine type, what it’s useful for and how many calories you have burned during your workout. In addition, the treadmills come with their own charging station, Bluetooth earphones and is connected to the internet for entertainment and exercise instructions. The gym is available for hotel guests and members to avoid overcrowding and there are trainers readily available at all times to assist and consult anyone who is working out. Right next to the gym are two gender specific changing rooms equipped with basic facilities, as well as, a sauna room suitable for 5-6 people. As you leave the gym, you walk into the pool and lounge area. The ocean blue outdoor infinity pool, which has a frog’s eye view of the hotel, is warm and excitingly spacious. From every angle,
Location: Mesqel Square, across the street from Red Terror Martyrs’ Memorial Museum On Google Maps? Yes Service /label: Wellness Center Opening Hours: Gym and Pool 05:30 AM – 09:30 PM Spa 09:00 AM – 10:00 PM Facebook: @HyattRegency AddisAbabaHotel Instagram: @hyattregency addisababa
Photo: Courtesy of Hyatt Regency
Phone Number: + 251 11 517 1235
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and a relaxing aromatherapy massage. The massage therapist, Martha, walked me into a faintly lit treatment room with relaxing music, easing my mind and body into serenity even before the treatment had started. The treatment began by soaking my feet in warm water and washing it with sea-salt, followed by a 20 minute steam session to get my body ready for the scrub. I settled on the self-heating massage bed, and as Martha scrubbed my body top to bottom with a coffee-oatmeal blend scrub, she explained to me that the this particular scrub is useful for exfoliating skin, increasing blood flow, reducing appearance of cellulite and giving skin a radiant and even skin tone. I followed the body scrub with a quick shower and immediately, I could already see the glow and feel the smoothness of my skin. After the rejuvenating body scrub and facial, I was then ready for the aromatherapy massage. The massage combined soft, gentle pressure with relaxing aroma of the essential oils. The skilled fingers of the massage therapist coupled with the soothing ambiance of the treatment room had me in such a lull that I was practically falling asleep on the massage bed. After a 150 wonderful minutes of absolute tranquility, I left the spa feeling free of stress, muscle tension and fatigue. My whole experience at the Hyatt Regency wellness center has been one fit for royalty. The entire staff were friendly and welcoming with beautiful broad smiles and soft voices. The luxurious services and experience offered by the wellness center is worth every coin of its premium price. I whole heartedly recommend the Hyatt Regency wellness center as a must try for anyone looking for luxurious fitness center and a truly pampering spa treatment.
“My whole experience at the Hyatt Regency wellness center has been one fit for royalty ”
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Photo: Courtesy of Hyatt Regency
it is surrounded by a variety of elegant lounging chairs for the increased comfort of guests. Lifeguards are also stationed at the pool area to ensure the safety of guests at all times. A bit past the lounging chairs is the bar and healthy kitchen, to serve the guests using the pool and gym at the lounging area. I left the swimming pool area back through the hall to the spa and was greeted by the Spa Manager, Nitikan, who gave me a quick tour and an introduction of the spa. The dimly lit reception area has earthy décor and faintly smells of a combination of balmy essential oils. At the desk is an artistic display of scrubs and oils for guests to select from. The scrubs range from coffee for dead skin removal and detoxification, sesame for dry skin and herbal combination for sensitive skin. The massage oils are categorized by purpose as relaxing, balancing and energizing based on their distinct aroma and effect. A little past the reception area are the three gender neutral treatment rooms with individual steam rooms to give guests much needed privacy. As I sipped on my complimentary herbal tea, the cheery receptionist, Meskerem, talked me through the array of pampering packages and therapy treatments that the spa offers, such as, the oriental deluxe foot massage, couples relaxation, detox retreat, avocado skin delight and a variety of massage offerings. Part of the uniqueness of the spa is that the massage therapists are selected from the best of the best that Addis Ababa has to offer and go through a rigorous one month training process before they are able to start work so as to maintain the standard of the services offered. The spa also offers corporate and membership discounts based on agreements. I opted for a 150 minute coffee scrub
ReelUp
Spider-Man Kidus Tamiru Spider-man: Far from Home follows peter parker after the events of Endgame teaming up with Nick Fury and Quentin Beck, AKA Mysterio, as they fight off the Elementals. Spider man 2 (The third spider-man 2 movie to come out in the last 15 years by the way) had a huge act to follow with Avengers: Endgame, The biggest and most anticipated super hero flick of our time. So I’m sure most people went into this with their expectations set considerably lower. I know I did. After all, there was no way this movie would carry the same weight or consequences in the overall Marvel canon. And for the most part, I was right. But this is film is very good in its own right that you’ll forget about comparing it with the previous installment pretty quick. For one, the filmmakers very wisely decided to do a complete 360 in genre from what you’d expect. This is actually Marvel’s first romance film. And I don’t mean it has romantic elements as most of them do; this film actually gets pretty close to being a straight up romantic comedy, but done well and with the usual marvel charm to keep it enjoyable. Another element I loved about this film is the character development of Peter parker. He has matured and experienced enough since the first film to have changed completely by this one. In the first Spider-Man, He was
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Far From Home
so excited and eager to be a super hero and wanted nothing to do with being a teenager doing teen stuff. In this one, He’s genuinely sick of the endless calls to save the world and just desperately wants to be a kid doing regular school stuff and go out with Mary Jane. But as he soon learns, everybody, including a very disapproving Nick Fury, expects him to be the next Iron Man. So most of the film is Peter trying to decide if he is willing, or even capable, of carrying such a heavy responsibility and understand why Tony Stark saw so much in him in the first place. Spoiler alert: I tried to write an entirely spoiler free review but that would mean I can’t discuss one of the best things about this movie: The villain. Anybody who’s familiar with Mysterio from before will not be surprised by the twist because his superpower has always been being a master of deception and trickery. So, in a role Gyllenhaal played perfectly, watching Quentin Beck go from being a cool, Tony-stark like superhero to an unhinged psycho manipulator is reason enough to watch the movie. So overall, this is definitely worth checking out if you’re a fan of the MCU. But if you logged in to the franchise with Infinity war or some such later film, you’ll probably be bored.
Directed By: Jon Watts Runtime: 2hrs 9m Starring: Tom Holland, Jake Gyllenhaal, Samuel L. Jackson 8/10
Hager Sitchign Directed By: Mustejab Ditamo Runtime: 1hr 40m Starring: Henok Wendimu, Kalkidan Tamiru
Hager Sitchign follows Addis, a well-intentioned but desperate guy who gets himself forced by his employer to pretend to be the husband of an amnesiac woman, all to make some money to save his sick grandmother. This is a comedy film that doesn’t waste too much time on other elements. It sets up a far-fetched plot in the beginning to get the movie going and then just rolls with it with funnier and funnier situations unfolding. The lead, Henok Wendimu, plays a very similar role to his previous film, Yesumalew Van Damme, in that both films have him forced by other characters to pretend to be somebody else. He seems to have mastered this style of comedy, where most of the laughs come from his utter confusion and overacting to situations. But plot-wise, filmmaking-wise or any other wise-wise, don’t expect any achievements. I especially found the duo of white villains mumbling their way through unintelligible Amharic the most annoying thing I’ve seen in recent history. But overall, it’s quite an enjoyable film, and I definitely recommend it if you’re in the mood for some comedy. 7.5/10
Wetat Be 97 Directed By: Mulualem Getachew Runtime:1hr 40m Starring: Zeritu Kebede, Tariku Birhanu, Mulualem Getachew
Wetat be 97 is about three friends whose lives are affected drastically by the 1997/2005 Ethiopian political unrest following the much debated election that year. To be honest, that plot synopsis makes the movie sound a lot more interesting than it is. The biggest disappointment I have with this film, and I gather this is a lot of people’s complaint, is that it doesn’t really have much to do with the 97 riots at all. I’ve heard of click bait but damn, this is straight up ticket bait. Sure the first few minutes of the film are set during the riots. And one of the characters needed an excuse to leave the country, but the filmmaker could have made the character flee Ethiopia a hundred million other ways as most people do on a daily basis. What the writer should have realized is that the 97 situation is a very sensitive topic and most people will have massive expectations when you put it in the title. And as horrific as that occurrence was, it was, and still is, a filmmaker’s goldmine for a great movie. In addition to the misleading title, I also hated the film’s convoluted and hammy plot with its very predictable twists. Every time I find myself struggling to summarize a plot synopsis for 10 minutes, I know it’s a either a terrible or a genius movie. I don’t think it’s the latter in this case. The director’s previous film, Yekebere Diha (which I had reviewed back in December) was so much better and I had expected a movie at least on par with that, if not an improvement. But this was a waste. 4/10
Linkup Addis Ababa August, 2019 I 23
Network of Innovators Kidus Tamiru
Networks are becoming the new communities. Digital technologies enable people to network beyond their local surroundings. Cross border networks with shared values are more common than ever. The promise of these networks is similar to the promise of communities but with a strong value system and effective collaboration. Iceaddis is the first hub of the icehubs network which operates now in Ethiopia, Egypt and Germany. It is part of the narrative that iceaddis established in Addis Ababa in 2011, expanding to three more cities in the last few years. But iceaddis is also part of various networks both in Africa and globally. Here are the three networks iceaddis actively engaged with. i4policy Social innovation hubs are critical spaces for engaging and connecting communities–youth, tech entrepreneurs and innovators–and bring forth innovations in the form of new companies, products and services that could drive visions for the digital development of the continent further.
In order to best contribute to Africa’s digital and social transformation,I 4policy gathered recommendations and examples from innovation communities across Africa with the aim of sharing them with policy makers. Afrilabs AfriLabs is a network organization of 158 innovation centers across 45 African countries. Afrilabs supports hubs to raise successful entrepreneurs that will create jobs and develop innovative solutions to African problems. AfriLabs objectives are to encourage technology, innovation and entrepreneurship in all forms; to promote the creation of African made technology with a special focus on the social, economic and environmental sectors; to provide an environment characterized by open collaboration, technical innovation and support for the technological community at large ;Commitment to capacity building, mentorship, networking and forming bonds that will serve as building blocks for the next generation of thinking. Global Innovation Gathering (GIG)
Many improvements need to be made before Africa can fully capture the potential for innovation that exists in our communities. And whilst some governments are working hard to encourage entrepreneurship, innovation and job-seeking youth, there needs to be inclusive dialogue amongst policy makers, innovators and local communities, users and innovators in order to create policy frameworks that foster local, bottom-up innovation.
24 I Linkup Addis Ababa August, 2019
Global Innovation Gathering (GIG) is a vibrant, diverse community of innovation hubs, makerspaces, hackerspaces and other grassroot innovation community spaces and initiatives as well as individual innovators, makers, technologists and changemakers. GIG is pursuing a new vision for global cooperation based on equality, openness and sharing.
" AfriLabs is a network organization of 158 innovation centers across 45 African countries."