LinkUp Addis January 2020

January 2020

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CloseUp: Heddo Siebs If we strive to "Make Ethiopia Proud", we cannot lose.

What’sUp: A Hike up the Ankober Mountains Page 20 ReelUp: Kidus’s Take on What’s Going on in the Cinemas Page 22

04 05 08 09 14 12 Editor’s Letter

Headsup

Thumbsup

January Events' Calendar

Followup

Diplomatic Bazaar

Eatup

Catchup

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Interview with Heddo Siebs

Restaurant Review Sangam Restaurant

International Event Marrakech Popular Arts Festival

20 22 What’sup

Reelup

Cinema Review

Addis Hiking A Trip to Ankober

Here is 2020. Last year has been quite a remarkable one, and we have a feeling event better times are right ahead. This year is especially exciting to us as we are venturing into new pioneering projects in the Ethiopian digital media landscape. We wish you all a great year ahead. As always, if you are having are planning an event and are looking for ways to reach your audience, make sure to knock our doors. We are here for you.

Eyob Workineh Editor-in-Chief

Editor in chief: Eyob Workineh eyob@linkupaddis.com Marketing Director: Eyasu Abdella eyasu@linkupaddis.com Social Media Strategist: Fikreab Dagne fikrabdagne@gmail.com Graphic Designer: Benny Yoseph benny@linkupaddis.com Event Researcher: Yilak Assefa yilak@linkupaddis.com

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Social Media Content Manager: Michael Asheber

Cover photo: Courtesy of Hyatt Regency

01-16 JANUARY 2019 • Baxxe ፤ Home ፤ ቀዬ - A Photo Exhibition Goethe-Institut, 09:00am

• Pop Up Art Show Sheba’s Art Gallery, 10:00am

• Pop Up Art Show Sheba’s Art Gallery, 10:00am

• Pop Up Art Show Sheba’s Art Gallery, 10:00am

• ROOTS Reggae Dub -After-Work Viking Bar & Restaurant , 05:00pm

• Couch surfing meetup (Every Thursday) Mad vervet Hostel , 07:00pm

• GUGUT Party VIKING Bar and Restaurant, 07:00pm

• Etan Comics - Home of African Superheroes Official Book Launch Tomoca Coffee Wavel street, 03:00pm

• CINE-CLUB (Every Wednesday Night) Louvre hotel, 08:00pm

• Sonic Ethiopia Live Music ( Every Thursday ) Metro club Hyatt Regency Hotel , 09:00pm

• Love N’Black 70’s( Every Friday ) Metro club Hyatt Regency Hotel, 09:00pm

• Mama's Kitchen With 90's Kids Royal mamas Kitchen Wollo Sefer, 04:00pm

• Young Stars Live Music (every Wednesday) Metro club Hyatt Regency hotel, 09:00pm

• Ethio-Reggae live band (Every Saturday) Metro club Hyatt Regency Hotel, 08:00pm • Ethio Futurism live band (Every Saturday) Metro club Hyatt Regency Hotel, 09:30pm

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• Pop Up Art Show Sheba’s Art Gallery, 10:00am

• Pop Up Art Show Sheba’s Art Gallery, 10:00am

• Goethe Book Discussion: ጦማረ መዋቲ/በግዕዝ የተጻፈ ልቦለድ መጽሐፍ Goethe Institut Addis Ababa, 02:00pm

• Dankira Party Vibe Club and Lounge , 08:00pm

• Pop Up Art Show Sheba’s Art Gallery, 10:00am

• Pop Up Art Show Sheba’s Art Gallery, 10:00am • CINE-CLUB (Every Wednesday Night) Louvre hotel, 08:00pm • Young Stars Live Music (every Wednesday) Metro club Hyatt Regency hotel, 09:00pm

• Africa Unite: Live Music and Film Screening Of Africa Unite Alliance Ethio-française, 06:00pm

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• Pop Up Art Show Sheba’s Art Gallery, 10:00am

• CHUNG DO KWAN SEMINAR 2020 ETHIOPIA Laphto Mall , 09:00am

• CHUNG DO KWAN SEMINAR 2020 ETHIOPIA Laphto Mall , 09:00am

• Opening Solo Exhibition Selome Muleta: "In a Relationship" Alliance Ethio-francaise , 06:30pm

• Pop Up Art Show Sheba’s Art Gallery, 10:00am

• Pop Up Art Show Sheba’s Art Gallery, 10:00am

• Love N’Black 70’s( Every Friday ) Metro club Hyatt Regency Hotel, 09:00pm

• UNUSUAL DJ' S ZODIAC SERIES Face of Addis, 02:00pm

• Couch surfing meetup (Every Thursday) Mad vervet Hostel , 07:00pm

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8 • CHUNG DO KWAN SEMINAR 2020 ETHIOPIA Laphto Mall , 09:00am

• Ethio-Reggae live band (Every Saturday) Metro club Hyatt Regency Hotel, 08:00pm

• Sonic Ethiopia Live Music ( Every Thursday ) Metro club Hyatt Regency Hotel , 09:00pm

• Ethio Futurism live band (Every Saturday) Metro club Hyatt Regency Hotel, 09:30pm

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• CINE-CLUB (Every Wednesday Night) Louvre hotel, 08:00pm

• Couch surfing meetup (Every Thursday) Mad vervet Hostel , 07:00pm

• Young Stars Live Music (every Wednesday) Metro club Hyatt Regency hotel, 09:00pm

• Sonic Ethiopia Live Music ( Every Thursday ) Metro club Hyatt Regency Hotel , 09:00pm

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17-31 JANUARY 2019 • Love N’Black 70’s( Every Friday ) Metro club Hyatt Regency Hotel, 09:00pm

• Yeras Gez Saturday Market Nigus Boutique Hotel, 09:00am • Chewata-Good Old Days! Bazaar Tropical Garden, 11:00am • Full house party Shock Therapy Villa Verde, 08:00pm • Ethio-Reggae live band (Every Saturday) Metro club Hyatt Regency Hotel, 08:00pm • Ethio Futurism live band (Every Saturday) Metro club Hyatt Regency Hotel, 09:30pm

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• CINE-CLUB (Every Wednesday Night) Louvre hotel, 08:00pm

• Couch surfing meetup (Every Thursday) Mad vervet Hostel , 07:00pm

• Young Stars Live Music (every Wednesday) Metro club Hyatt Regency hotel, 09:00pm

• Sonic Ethiopia Live Music ( Every Thursday ) Metro club Hyatt Regency Hotel , 09:00pm

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• Overcoming Rejection Seminar Economic Commission for Africa, 08:30am

• Goodbaby - BABY CRAWLING CONTEST Ghion Hotel , 09:00am

• Oromo Music Award Oromia Cultural Center, 07:00pm

• Block Party Takeover 0.4 Shifta, 02:00pm

20 • Love N’Black 70’s( Every Friday ) Metro club Hyatt Regency Hotel, 09:00pm

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• Ethio-Reggae live band (Every Saturday) Metro club Hyatt Regency Hotel, 08:00pm • Ethio Futurism live band (Every Saturday) Metro club Hyatt Regency Hotel, 09:30pm • Addis Cocktail Festival Greek Club, 10:00pm

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• CINE-CLUB (Every Wednesday Night) Louvre hotel, 08:00pm

• Couch surfing meetup (Every Thursday) Mad vervet Hostel , 07:00pm

• Young Stars Live Music (every Wednesday) Metro club Hyatt Regency hotel, 09:00pm

• Sonic Ethiopia Live Music ( Every Thursday ) Metro club Hyatt Regency Hotel , 09:00pm

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• Love N’Black 70’s( Every Friday ) Metro club Hyatt Regency Hotel, 09:00pm

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Thumbsup Kidus Assefa

Gaming & Entertainment Name: Addis Paintball & Airsoft

Furniture & Lifestyle Name: Zola’s Playground

Recently opened to the public, the first Paintball gaming in Ethiopia is finally here! Addis Paintball is complete with full devices, protective gear & attire ensuring safety doesn’t get in the way of fun. Players can form two small teams, or more, that face off against each other in the playing course.

Among the innovative disruptors in the interior space has to be this modern man-sized “playground”. Aptly named due to the limitless creative freedom reflected in the work culture, the output tells it all. Mostly working on an online order basis, there are many beautiful, simple and multipurpose items from to choose from.

The spacious venue is also available for booking carnivals & big events of any kind. Addis Paintball will also be hosting competitive team tournaments soon.

Facebook: Addis Paintball & Airsoft Tel: +251 (0) 93 059 1369 Location: Jemo 3, on the way from the roundabout to the new train station On Google maps? Yes Food & Refreshments Name: Green Shake A cozy stead located at the heart of Aware, Green Shake, has quite an explicitly simple yet sophisticated appeal. Perfect for shake, juice and snack fans, Green Shake has it all from delicious shakes to salads to snacks with an impressive quality.

The newly served traditional dishes are fairly priced with a complementary coffee ceremony at the balcony. Inside, the wooden sofas and fresh fruits give it its homely atmosphere, making it a favorable place to visit any time of the day.

Facebook: N/A Instagram: LinkUpAddis Tel: +251 (0) 99 186 5857 Location: Along Cote D’Ivoire St., on the way to 5 loaves from Ethiopian Women Memorial Square On Google maps? Yes

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African wax art is often incorporated into the designs, and the clever use of materials such as pallets, recycled plastic pots and re-used wood are assuring that eco-friendly sustainable practices are given value.

Instagram: Zola’s Playground Tel: + 251 (0)91 137 5621 Location: Around Atlas junction near Noah real estate’s apartment complex On Google maps? Yes

FollowUp

Diplomatic Bazaar Nathan Seyoum he prestigious spirit of the Sheraton Addis, Luxury Collection Hotel was confounding. There is a whole lot more space beyond the actual grounds of the hotel itself On the 7th of December, in the early morning chill, there was a long queue of people waiting for “the event” to commence and most were anxious to get in and see what the fuss was all about. So, what was the fuss all about?

Overlooking the hotel was a sprawl of people and white tents. After the security checks, I made way to the vast yard. I was handed free chips and a passport from the get-go, a fake passport obviously that is meant to serve as a kind of ticket for collecting stamps from the different countries you purchased items from. I traveled as I stood there!

I scoured the yard trying to find a semblance of its magnitude passing through countries like Cameroon, France, Iran, Norway, Pakistan and so many more. The freshest smoked salmon from Norway, the Great British Cook-Off from England, Cuban Cigars and Brazilian music,

Ghanaian jewelry and clothing. People were going crazy. Chocolates from Switzerland and the Netherlands, Cheese from France, Carpets from Egypt, and Dolls from China treated my eye and my brain. It was tantalizing.

I got what the fuss was all about. This was the diplomatic bazaar, the biggest cultural fest in town.

The Diplomatic Bazaar is an annual fest which is hosted by the Diplomatic Spouses Group Ethiopia. It has been around for about 30 years! Their main partner? Heineken lager– they have been doing so for the past few years. More than 60 countries were represented and around 30 sponsors were in attendance of the event which was expected to be visited by thousands of people. The aim of the event is all for charity.

All proceeds will go to organizations like Project Matrix and others that plan to invest the money for various projects within the country to help the vulnerable and the poor.

Amidst the chaos, a tent struck my gaze from afar. All green inside and sitting at an elevated embankment – like a sort of lighthouse or a beacon guiding the other

“More than 60 countries were represented and around 30 sponsors were in attendance of the event which was expected to be visited by thousands of people.”

Linkup Addis Ababa January, 2020 I 9

Photo by: Nebiyou Sultan

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like a sort of lighthouse or a beacon guiding the other tents. This was Heineken and it was bustling with life.

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Photo: www..lomography.com

Photo by: Nebiyou Sultan

So, about Wawi. Wawi is a fashion and designing company created by siblings, Feven and Rahwa GebreMeskel, in 2018.

The word Wawi is a Geez word which translates to “needle on a belt.” They specialize in what is called “fast fashion.”

These are trendy clothes like t-shirts, bags and others which can be worn day today.

“Rahwa has been working with Heineken for a while now. When she started Wawi, Heineken was very supportive offering advice and mentoring us all the way. They really do promote young creativity. As the Diplomatic Bazaar was coming up, we proposed to collaborate with them, and they were really open to the idea of working with us,” explains Feven.

While we were witnessing two young artists paint the Heineken-themed Addis Ababa landscape, Feven handed me a green shopping bag.

“We also proposed what we call the upcycle project where we use waste products and by-products and recycle them for reuse

in different ways. As part of this, we made shopping bags from the banners they had used and discarded,” she says, with a proud smile. Wawi also showcased doodle art on a big canvas which encapsulated the Addis Ababa. “All in all, it was a big deal for us to work with Heineken,” concludes Feven.

Back at the event, the people from Heineken looked busy. Indeed, for a beer for having the same great taste in many different countries- 192 to be exact- they are used to having shared experiences of different people in different parts of the world. As the night drew near, there was still a myriad of people flocking through the gates of Sheraton. And for an event that sells experiences, what an experience this was!!

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tents. This was Heineken and it was bustling with life.

Upon my entrance I felt the energy, beautiful bars serving fresh beer, plush pillows to lay down and enjoy the day, even a Christmas tree made our of Heineken bottles! People loved that. However, at the very center stood Wawi fashion showcasing their merchandise and collaboration with Heineken – it garnered my attention.

CatchUp

Marrakech Popular

Arts Festival Tsadenna G. Assefa

Photo: f acebook.com/pg/Festival-National-des-Arts-Populaires

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n July the temperature reaches close the festival and a glimpse to visitors of its to 40oC in Marrakech, Morocco. former grandeur before it was destroyed by But the temperature is not the hottest Moulay Ismaï in the late 1600s. Red walls thing that happens during that month. and an expansive courtyard are all that For most people, it is unfathomable to remains from the once-great palace that imagine Marrakech being took over 25 years to construct. livelier and more frenzied, Dubbed “The Incomparable” "unique mix but the National Marrakech by the locals, it is said to have of modern festival of popular arts had some 300 rooms in its glory entertainment time, all decorated with gold, manages to achieve that. The and traditional precious stones, Italian marble legendary Festival has been arts which a magnet for tourists and art and glass. It had also gone on enthusiasts from all over the to become one of the most define the world since it was created by luxurious in Africa. The Palace Moroccan King Mohammed V in 1959. was erected to commemorate culture."

The purpose pursued by the defeat of the Portuguese in the monarch is very much the Battle of the Three Kings. applicable in 2020 as it tries to preserve and display the rich oral The other major venue for the festival is heritage, culture and the arts of the land.

Marrakech’s main square, Jemaa el F’naa.

In short, Moroccan’s musical and artistic The square, which even during the rest of legacy is showcased every year in Festival the year is quite a tourist magnet with its performances taking place in venues dizzying array of cafes, food stalls, shops scattered throughout Marrakech. and vendors, is further decorated to suit the festival needs. This venue is a UNESCO Most of the major events take place masterpiece of the oral and intangible around the grounds of El Badi Palace, heritage, and it can take days to see and which provides a historical framework for experience all of it.

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" In July the temperature reaches to close to 40oC in Marrakech, Morocco. But the temperature is not the hottest thing that happens during that month."

Music and dance are vital parts of the Moroccan lifestyle, and the festival builds on this and shares with the world the unique mix of modern entertainment and traditional arts which define the Moroccan culture. Taking place throughout the whole month of July, the month-long festivals attracts artists, dancers, singers, theatre troupes, fortune tellers and snake charmers from all over Morocco and all over the world. The festival also brings together all parts of Morocco so visitors can see performances from ancient folk dancers and traditional Berber musicians as well as belly dancers, fusion bands and pop musicians.

Attending the Marrakech popular arts festival would be incomplete without a

Sources https://www.Morocco.com https://www.Exploringmorocco.com https://www.Afrotourism.com https://www.Visitmorocco.com

This traditional choreographed horse performance involves groups of charging horseman dressed in traditional clothing.

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Photo: www.tripsavvy.com

One of the most anticipated events, the “Fantasia”, is held nightly just outside the city walls. This traditional choreographed horse performance involves groups of charging horseman dressed in traditional clothing.

relaxing and peaceful walk in the attractive Majorelle Gardens. The palm and olive trees orchard in Menara gardens are also perfect spots to relax in the evening before diving right back into the festivities.

As if Marrakech wasn’t already the best place to learn the Moroccan culture, this festival amplifies it making it the best time to be in Morocco, sing and dance to their music and generally, get entertained for a perfect respite and amusement.

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Le Village is one of the other locations where the festival takes place. This large space divided into six major areas houses many of the musical and cultural events of the festival.

EatUp

Sangam Restaurant Anatoli Bulti

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angam restaurant is one of the oldest Indian restaurants in Addis Ababa, providing an authentic Indian dining experience. This restaurant was established in 1973, and after briefly relocating to De Leopold International Hotel, the restaurant is now in a compound around Bole Printing Press, a five-minute walk from its original location on Bole Road (Africa Avenue).

We were greeted with the warm welcome of the owner of the restaurant and the staff alike. Since it was lunchtime and the weather hot, we decided to sit in the outdoors. We sat flipping through the menu as a soft Indian classical tune played in the background.

Photo by: Anteneh Girma, Abyissinia Photographers Hub

Because of the Hindu and Islam background of the owners, the restaurant serves neither beef nor pork but provides several alternative meat options. The menu is full of different fish, chicken or lambbased dishes and a variety of vegetarian and vegan selections. The menu also has a thali option where different types of dishes

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are served in a single platter. The owner, Mr. Shaik, took the liberty of recommending some of the best dishes the restaurant had to offer.

The Lassi, an Indian flavored yogurt, came first. The mango-flavored Lassi was served cold, which was refreshing and perfect for the weather. While we waited on the food, we chatted with Mr. Shaik who gave us a brief background on the restaurant. The idea for opening an Indian restaurant came from Ato Habtselassie Tafesse, who is considered the father of Ethiopian tourism and who coined the phrase “13 months of sunshine”. Ato Habtselassie pushed Mr. Shaik’s father and his uncle to open the restaurant.

Eventually, Sangam opened its doors with the patronage of Princess Tenangework who provided the space that had been the home of the restaurant for over 4 decades.

According to Mr. Shaik, Sangam was the first-ever restaurant to open on Bole road.

The fist of our orders to arrive was vegetarian and non-vegetarian samosas.

The non-vegetarian samosas were stuffed

Location: Bole road behind Bole Printing Press On Google Maps?

Yes Service /label: Restaurant Opening Hours: 11:30 AM - 10:00 PM Facebook: @Sangam Restaurant Instagram: @dokresturant Phone Number: +251 91 121 4183

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The idea for opening an Indian restaurant came from Ato Habtselassie Tafesse, who is considered the father of Ethiopian tourism and who coined the phrase '13 months of sunshine'

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Photos by: Anteneh Girma, Abyissinia Photographers Hub

with well-seasoned minced mutton (lamb) while the vegetarian one had a mixed veggie stuffing. We were then served a mixed kebab dish of lamb, fish, chicken wings and minced chicken cooked in a tandoor (Indian charcoal oven). The different types of meat were cooked to perfection, with the slightly burnt taste from the charcoal oven adding a different dimension to the flavors.

One cannot go to an Indian restaurant and leave without trying the curry; the next two dishes to be served were the Butter Chicken and a vegetarian Masala Fish.

Served with Vegetable Pillau, rice mixed with vegetables, the sauce of the butter chicken was creamy and the chicken was soft and tender. The Masala fish was served with plain rice, the combination of the rice, fried fish and curry making for a delicious taste. We were also served 3 different types of naan, Indian bread baked in tandoori; with the plain, cheese and garlic naan adding a nice complementary flavor to the curry dishes. The garlic naan was a personal favorite as the garlic taste was not too overwhelming and meshed well with the softness of the naan.

The food was delicious, with portions big enough to fully satisfy customers.

Although we were full, we couldn’t help but try to finish all the food on the table while also making room for dessert. The dessert was milk-based Indian sweet with a refreshing taste. According to Mr. Sheik, a sweet dessert is necessary to counter the strong and spicy ingredients of most Indian food.

Sangam restaurant is a perfect choice to satisfy your Indian cuisine cravings; it offers a variety of meat, fish, chicken, rice, and vegetarian curry dishes; a fair price with a convenient location. Although unfortunately, it is no longer in its original historical location, the new space does a good job to hold its own.

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CloseUp

Heddo Siebs Mihiret Teshome

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ince its opening on 01 January 2019, Hyatt Regency Addis Ababa has consistently been in the headlines not only for its wonderful interiors and service excellence but also for the sustainable projects it has been undertaking and for its highly successful initiative to source most of its inputs locally. From the locally designed “employee fashion” to the sustainable plastic-free initiative and to its pioneering employee recruitment system, Hyatt Regency has been leading by example to win several awards and recognitions.

LinkUp Addis has sat with Heddo Siebs to discuss the hotel’s success in the past few months.

Who is Heddo Siebs?

I am a global nomad - I travel a lot. I am a foodie, a proud father and a Royal Enfield lover. I love Ethiopia very much and I am very happy to be here in Addis Ababa.

Being here in the Land of Origins is something great. I like not only visiting and exploring places but also getting to know the culture and what is all around it.

when you traveled here for the first time?

Though I had been to many places in Africa, I had never been to Ethiopia before, and I found it to be a great place to see. I was very surprised to see how green and nice the country is and how friendly the people are. We felt very much welcome to this country. Then we traveled to Entoto.

It was wonderful to see the entire city on one side and the vast countryside on the other. As time went on, I started to explore the city and the markets, especially the rich and colorful Mercato, to understand what people eat and what they produce.

Looking at the opportunities Ethiopia has to offer, I remember feeling how lucky I am to open a hotel here in Addis.

“We are very proud to be the first hotel not to offer plastic bottles. ”

We heard that you are very outgoing and adventurous. You even go to local traditional markets to shop. What is the inspiration behind this?

To start with, the diversity here in Ethiopia excites me a lot. I

Linkup Addis Ababa January, 2020 I 17

Photo: Courtesy of Hyatt Regency

What were your impressions of Ethiopia and Ethiopian society

believe that when you are in a new country and city, you have to explore its roots to see and understand what items are available and produced.

It is also great to source inputs locally to support the local community. It is easy to import everything, but we feel that we should support local businesses. For instance, you can find people producing beautiful and great-quality napkins and linen products here in Ethiopia. We also find great designers here helping us to design and produce employee fashion locally.

The other reason why I leave Addis and travel to other parts of the country is to see what the farmers produce. There is great quality available here in Ethiopia, but you have to go out and find it. You have to visit different farmers to understand how they produce and how they process. That way we source our inputs locally, but with great quality. Looking at how our restaurants are doing, I think we are successful.

Within a short time, your management has made Hyatt the leading destination in Addis. What is the secret?

Anyone can build a nice hotel; It is the people who make the difference. If we welcome our guests and look after them as we do in our homes, we will make a difference, as the guests will feel that what we are doing comes from the heart. It is not standardized or done by rote. We invest our resources in providing true, honest service.

What is unique about the Ethiopian hospitality industry?

Photo: www.hyatt.com

Being hospitable is in Ethiopians' DNA. You just have to give them the confidence through training to deliver the same in a hotel. We particularly like

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training the young generation through an apprenticeship system developed together with the Culinary and Travel Training Institute.

Hyatt has been headlining within the hotel scene for sourcing its inputs locally, including the uniforms of your staff.

Where did this inspiration come from?

Supporting local communities is a very important commitment for us. With the opening of the hotel, we had a great opportunity to do things right from the very beginning. Instead of importing items, we source them locally. We are very fortunate to work with Anna Getaneh, who designed as well as produced our employees' uniforms locally. Moreover, companies and NGOs like Sabahar, Salem`s and Muya produce fabulous products, allowing us to support fair trade companies and their colleagues.

Speaking of local sourcing, you dress all your employees with Ethiopian fabric and design. How has the reception been about this?

First, we want to make sure that our visitors feel they are coming to Ethiopia when they come to our hotel. You can find normal uniforms anywhere in the world, but when we design something like this locally, people easily get the feeling of being in Ethiopia.

I think our employees are proud of it because they can easily identify themselves and because it is more of a fashion statement than a uniform. It also makes Ethiopia proud because it underlines that there is more to Ethiopia than just coffee, displaying other

“If we welcome our guests and look after them as we do in our homes, we will make a difference, as the guests will feel that what we are doing comes from the heart.”

areas where Ethiopians excel.

What values has Hyatt added to hospitality in Ethiopia?

We would like to lead by example and outof-the-box thinking when it comes to local sourcing as mentioned above, but also in terms of food items, employee training and last but not least, being sustainable. We are very proud to be the first hotel not to offer plastic bottles.

Despite its young age, Hyatt Regency Addis Ababa has become the top destination for premium events that have happened during the year. What is your philosophy about hosting events?

As a hotel that values the environment and the local community, we focus on sustainability, zero food waste and live cooking when we host events.

Hyatt Regency has also been at the center of media for the various sustainable environmental initiatives you have undertaken. Tell us about them.

One of our achievements has been using an entirely locally sourced avocado oil in one of our restaurants, The Kitchen. When I was exploring the city, I saw avocados everywhere. Even though the plan was to use olive oil in The Kitchen, a Middle Eastern restaurant, we do not have olive trees in Ethiopia. Therefore, we decided to look for someone who would make us avocado oil and change our recipes to avocado that is locally produced. We received very positive feedbacks from our guests. We are really making a difference.

When a new hotel opens, everyone wants to come and see it. However, we have proven that it does not stop there for Hyatt Regency, Addis Ababa. People in Addis feel that this hotel is for them, and they come here not only for their special occasions but also in their day-to-day lives for business meetings, for a cup of coffee in Cascara or lunch and dinner at our restaurants.

What do you regard as your most remarkable achievement at Hyatt Regency Addis Ababa?

We have received early awards as the best hotel in Addis and in Africa, and we are grateful for them. Awards are important, but so is the implementation of our water bottling system. I am personally very proud that we managed to start our water bottling system. It is very sustainable, and I promise you we will have a lot more in the next year.

“I think if people do anything from the bottom of their hearts and with the concept of 'Let’s Make Ethiopia Proud,' we cannot lose.”

What do you like doing in Addis when you are not at work?

I spend my time with my family. I also explore the country a little bit with my Royal Enfield, getting a bit of fresh air in the country and relaxing.

Any last words?

I think if people do anything from the bottom of their hearts and with the concept of “Let’s Make Ethiopia Proud,” we cannot lose.

We are currently plastic-free, and we will undertake more initiatives.

I think there are two parts to it. On one hand, like any hotel, we invite people who are in Addis exploring the country - it is everyone from this point of view.

However, looking at our social spaces, two restaurants and bars, our spacious lobby and gym, we serve people who live in Addis.

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Photo: Courtesy of Hyatt Regency

Who is Hyatt Regency for? (Who do you serve?)

What'sUp

Addis Hiking

A Trip to Ankober Hermela Hailu Mekonnen

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omewhere in Addis Ababa, it was 6:45 in the morning. I arrived at the bus stop in a rush. It was parked next to Axum Hotel with a group of people were standing around it, conversing. I can sense the excitement coursing through!

Photo by: Kirubel Demsash

What could happen in the morning for groups of crowds to gather around and get excited about? You might ask, the answer is travel!

Yes, you read that right! Travel, adventure, and new experiences. Not any kind of travel, travel that encompasses hiking and camping.

For some of you out there it might be shocking to hear this, you might even say, “hiking? Here in Ethiopia?” The answer is hell yes! And one of the leading organizers of hiking trips in Ethiopia is Addis Hiking.

Formed in May 2015, Addis Hiking was founded by an energetic young man, Binyam. “I started hiking when I was a kid,” Binyam recalls, “Eventually, I happened to take my friend in one of my adventures, and they loved the experience.” After that first impression, Binyam and Co started discussing creating a community of hikers.

“Creating this group, I envisioned to create a

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society that enjoys walking and adventures as well as developing health and wellness enjoying the peace and serenity that nature provides!”

The first time I hiked with Addis hiking group was about a couple of months ago on a trip to Suba, forest park north-west of Addis Ababa. This time around, the adventure was taking us to Ankober, a small, historic town in the Semien Shoa zone. Apart from a weak awareness that Ankober was once the administrative capital of Ethiopia, the place was as unknown as any to me, and I didn’t quite know what to expect.

After a roughly 2-hour drive north, the bus stopped at Debre Birhan, a major city serving as the administrative center for the North Shoa zone. We resumed the ride after a break and some refreshments, finally reaching Ankober majestically sitting on an elevation of 2445 meters above sea level.

We would hike upwards to 3,030meters above sea-level at a humidity level of 41%.

The temperature falls to as low as 40C at night, I heard.

The air was refreshing despite the cold.

The locals carried our bags, and some of the heavier ones were loaded to the

Location: Meeting place at Axum Hotel On Google Maps?

No Service /label: Tour and Travel Facebook: @Addis Hiking group Telegram: @Addis Hiking

“The entire endeavor is tiring, but reaching the top, you would be engrossed by a strong sense of achievement and pride. You learn to appreciate the majesty and beauty of nature", Said one of the hikers.

You might wonder this trip must be expensive. Not at all! Addis Hiking group just brings people together and everyone covers their own cost. In the camping trip food, snacks, water and transportation cost are included. If it’s a day hike, food is excluded.

As we headed down after breakfast, we were not tired at all. We were rather full of energy with smiles filling our faces and a deep camaraderie forming among us.

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We woke up to a majestic sunrise. And we were awed with what was unfolding in front of our eyes.

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Photo by: Benny Yoseph

donkeys, which made the journey up the elevation easier.

The view was breathtaking. Ankober was serene, the air was fresh. The trees were very big, tall and ancient. The green engulfed everything, the trees, the rocks and the land. It was a sight for sore eyes.

Even the ground felt soft underneath.

We reached the peak of our trip around 5:30 pm; some reached earlier, of course.

The mesmerizing sunset was waiting there to be admired; a moment that made us think this was worth hustle. Well, as many great things in life, the sunset didn’t last long, and it ended before we had enough of it.

Morning came after a long, cold night, despite the warmth from the campfire and our blankets. We woke up to a majestic sunrise. And we were awed with what was unfolding in front of our eyes. The terrain, with the incredible, overwhelming orange beauty, took our breath away.

“We organize trips two or three times a month. If there are too many people register for the hike, we facilitate up to three rounds of trips to the same location,” Binyam explains.

ReelUp

Kidus Tamiru Star Wars: Episode IX follows Rey as she completes her Jedi training and prepares the resistance for the final battle with the First Order after emperor Palpatine mysteriously returns. Rise of Skywalker is the third and final film in the Star Wars sequel trilogy. It was directed by J.J Abrams, who also directed The Force Awakens, the first film in this trilogy.

Before I go on with the review, I should mention I am not a fan of the Star Wars movies. In fact, I think its overrated garbage. So, if you’re a fan of the series you’d probably disagree with my take on it. Now that we got that out of the way, let’s move on.

After the extremely divisive reception of The Last Jedi, the producers have clearly decided to go back to familiar territory for this one. So, they ended up with a film that’s more fan service and derivative when it could have been epic.

As he had done with The Force Awakens, J.J Abrams just remade A New Hope all over again.

Thematically and plot-wise, this film doesn’t really go anywhere new. And Disney clearly wanted to have another Avengers Endgame with this (as most film franchises will attempt for many years to come, I imagine). But they didn’t develop the story or characters enough to warrant that level of anticipation or climax.

The trilogy didn’t have a unified vision at all, and they were scrambling to piece together something grand at the last minute. They ended up with unexplained villains, resurrected villains, unresolved romances, forced

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romances and a lot of deus ex machinas.

In terms of plot, the movie is very much a standard adventure movie. The characters need to find the thing that does the thing which can only be found at someplace but they need a thing that can lead them to the person that can help them find the place with the thing in the first place. Insert random made-up words into that and you have the basic outline of the story.

One thing that has always annoyed me about the Star Wars movies is that I don’t understand the target audience. Half the movie is furry animals, comic robots and pew pew gunfights and the other half is intergalactic politics and family disputes. It surprises me this has such a huge following.

That being said, there are some things I enjoyed about it. The cast is perfect and I think they’re a big reason this trilogy survived. There’s a good blend of comic and serious characters and moments. The visual effects and action look great, probably a big reason I didn’t walk out of the movie. But these achievements are far from outweighing the problems.

So, overall, this is a film series coasting and profiting entirely from the nostalgia of the fans.

It doesn’t hold any merit on its own. So, if you’re not a fanatic admirer of the old series (which is most probable unless you’re American), I highly advise against paying to see this.

Directed By: J.J Abrams Runtime: 2hrs 22m Starring: Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac 5/10

Jumanji: The Next Level Directed By: Jake Kasdan Runtime: 2hr 03m Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan, Jack Black

Jumanji 2 follows the four high school buddies from the first film going back into the video game because the first film made money and film producers like money.

But all cynicism aside, the movie is not actually that terrible. You know what you’re getting into and it doesn’t disappoint in that regard. It doesn’t take itself too seriously and it doesn’t stray too far from what worked in the first one. Like most blockbuster sequels, it took all the elements, action sequences and jokes of the first one and amped it up just a little bigger. It has the same message of belief in yourself, what you needed was within you the whole time, having friends is nice and all that stuff. But who cares about the themes and messages of Jumanji Part Two? If you’re looking for a laugh, this is probably your best option these days.

The cast is all great but Kevin Hart and Jack Black are the highlights of the film.

The newcomers are great additions as well. But they should’ve figured out a way to have more of Danny DeVito instead of having others act as him in Jumanji.

So, to summarize, unless you didn’t know this was a sequel and didn’t see any trailers, posters or read the cast list, I highly doubt you’d be disappointed with this movie.

7/10

Bole Maneqia Directed By: Abel Hagos Runtime:1hr 40m Starring: Tariku Birhanu, Abiy G/Mariyam, Fenan Hidru

Bole Maneqia is a comedy film about two acquaintances from very different backgrounds who switch lives and…that’s it. There’s not much in the way of plot or story after that. The entire comedy is derived from watching a poor guy adjust to a rich life and vice versa. In fact, this film doesn’t have a single joke before the trading lives moment.

It starts off with some noticeable input from the director, with freeze frames and narration, albeit executed poorly but still an effort none the less. Even the plot seems interesting at first. Then once the jokes start, there is a tonal shift as it becomes just a regular Ethiopian comedy. The plot, in the beginning, was just a ploy to get them to switch lives and it disappears. Another unreasonably stupid aspect is that the main character’s fear of long-term imprisonment is treated as some unique, unusual trait that literally gets diagnosed by a therapist as some form of rare phobia. Unless prisoners serving life in jail wrote this movie, that seems pretty odd.

But in terms of a typical dialog-based comedy film, this is not that bad. The actors play well with each other and you’ll probably find yourself laughing at some point. That is if you don’t mind all the other amateurish aspects such as the cinematography that looks like an old Ethiopian TV drama and the excessive flashbacks. But if you have a high tolerance for all the problems I mentioned above, you’ll definitely enjoy this.

7/10

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