LinkUp Addis March 2021

March 2021

ADDIS ABABA

21

"I am an expat here in the sense that I’m a foreigner residing in Ethiopia, but I have never considered myself an expat here."

Lucie James

Cultural Director at Alliance Ethio-francaise

WhatsUp

FollowUp

ReelUp

Selo Craft Tella :

African Mosaique edit-

The New Tela Bet in the Heart of Addis

Launch of the New Fashion and Lifestyle Magazine

Kidus was back at the cinema to watch an Amharic film; he left miserable.

04 Editor’s Letter

08 Followup

African Mosaique edit Anna Getaneh's New Frontier in the Fashion and Lifestyle Media Scene

21

Closeup Lucie James

31

Linkup

Bucket List

05

07

Linkup

Thumbsup

12

16

Kahbang Music and Art Festival

Guac On

Brief

Catchup

25 Whatsup

Sello House: Ethiopia's Favorite Drink Finally Got Its place in Bole

33

Listenup Origins House Music

Eatup

A League of Its Own

29 Reelup

Movie Reviews

36 38

Linkup

Horoscope

Linkup

City Guide

Addis's entertainment scene is finally bouncing back. With several large, medium and small-scale events popping up everywhere in the city, every day of the week, still, it seems we are starting to see the end of the long, dark tunnel of COVID-19. In fact, it is not only events appearing everywhere, but business ventures too. From 'Sello House' the hottest tella bet in the middle of Bole, to the opening of Chef Yohanis's newest seafood restaurant- 'Asa Bet', Addis is starting to live up to its name.

There also is a great deal of entertainment and good vibes coming to Addis in March. The monthly electronic music party at the Greek Club, Zoya, will be back with its bigger version Zoya+. We are also excited to hear Tilahun Gessesse's new album release- mind-blowing.

Through all these good vibes and spirit, let's also not forget we are still living under the tyranny of COVID-19. Let's have fun and stay safe.

Eyob Workineh Editor-in-Chief

Editor in chief: Eyob Workineh eyob@linkupaddis.com Marketing Director: Mathias Aklilu mathias@linkupaddis.com Partnerships Director: Eyasu Abdella eyasu@linkupaddis.com Graphic Designer: Abenezer Samuel bensamuel189@gmail.com

Photographers: Abenezer Geleta Nathan Seyoum Mehari Haile

Cover photo:

by Ephrem

LinkUp Brief

February 2021

Tilahun Gessesse's New Album is Almost Here Tilahun Gessese's new album is about to be available to the public over eight years after the artists passed away. In a press conference hosted at Sheraton Addis on Thursday 25 February 2021, the album launch committee explained that an album that is composed of ten songs of the artist will be available under a title ’Kome Limerikish'.

The committee also explained that there will be a dinner banquet organized to celebrate Tilahun and his contribution to the Ethiopian art and culture. In an effort to contribute to the Ethiopian government's 'Gebeta Le Hager' initiative, the banquet will have 300 seats with ETB one million entrance. The committee explained all proceeds will go to the initiative.

Kucheza Festival Finally Took Place at Ghion Gardens The highly anticipated Kucheza Festival took place at Ghion Hotel Gardens on Saturday 27 February 2021. The event which was hosted by 4Africaaa featured several prominent and rising artists in a 10-hour long production. Among the artists who performed at the event were Lady Hash, Rophnan and Master KG, entertaining the thousands of people who attended the event with their performances. The event also introduced a new electronic ticket sales mechanism in collaboration with Flocash.

5 I Linkup Addis Ababa

Thumbsup Eyasu A. Ashenafi

Leather Name: MERON Addis Ababa

Pharmacy Name: SAS Pharmacy

Meron by leather exotica is handmade, ‘Made in Ethiopia’ leather brand known for its elegant and timeless designs and affordable, on-trend products.

The multiple award-winning brand is known and recognized for innovative entrepreneurship with a special focus on sustainability and contribution to creating new jobs and positive impact in the community.

SAS Pharmacy is the Newly opened pharmacies in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia so far with amazing customer service, great quality in product and price. It is a one-stop-shop for health, wellness and beauty. They have so far launched two branches in Addis Ababa one in Bole and another on in Kazanchis around UNECA

The leather line has managed to design, manufacture and distribute top of the line finished leather products both for the local and international markets.

Facebook: @meronaddisababa Location: Kazzanchis near UNECA Phone Number: +251 (0) 94 017 5767 On Google Maps: Yes Cafe Name: Illy Caffe Illy is a newest addition in Addis located inside Snap Plaza ground floor with some cool design concepts and delicious coffee, pastry and cold brews! The cafeteria provides a touch of the Italian culture with a classy interior design.

While a little pricey compared to its peers, its premium Italian coffee with an unmistakable aroma and intense taste make it worth a visit.

Location: Snap Plaza Building, ground floor, Africa Ave

Location: Down the road from Edna Mall; in front of Kaleb Hotel.

Facebook: saspharmacies On Google Maps: Yes

FollowUp

African Mosaique edit Anna Getaneh’s New Frontier in the Fashion and Lifestyle Media Scene

Photo by: Abenezer Geleta

Yegeta Tsegaye Telila

osmo, Vogue, Vanity Fair, GQ, Elle, you name it... you’ve probably seen these magazines at a hair salon or on social media or whatever and wondered when you were going to see similar stories from a local perspective. Many of us have. While there is certainly momentum towards building our narratives, there is still a long way to go.

C

The star-studded event saw guests from the fashion and business industry as well as government officials and diplomats. Speaking at the event, founder and CEO, Anna Getaneh, told the assembly that her organization remains dedicated to bringing Ethiopian and African culture to the forefront of the global fashion and lifestyle industry.

Not to mention, culture is at the heart of all the things we hold dear and how we present our worldview to those that may not be familiar with it. Considering a recent report from Africa No Filter that found that less than a third of African stories are sourced from local entities, efforts like this become all the more commendable.

Now, African Mosaique has joined the fold with Ethiopia’s newest fashion and lifestyle magazine. On Saturday 27 February 2021, the high-end fashion and clothing production enterprise launched ‘African Mosaique Edit’, a bi-annual publication, at its design center and manufacturing hub located in Legetafo. The magazine is going to highlight pioneering personalities in Ethiopia’s fashion, art, music, food, architecture, and culture scene.

Sure, it may seem trivial to some, even bordering on obscenity, to focus on entertainment and fashion and all that hoohaa during a time when Ethiopia and the world are going through several crises. I maintain that, no matter how small, this is exactly what we need. A recognition that our culture is not one of division but of beauty, elegance, and a connection to humanity’s roots and a reminder that life is not all gloom and doom.

"Brands like African Mosaique actually give local professionals... the chance to compete against multinational conglomerates. They might even revive a local industry that hasn’t moved a single step since the invention of the loom."

8 I Linkup Addis Ababa

Photo by: Abenezer Geleta

"

African Mosaique is one of the brands that seems intent on telling this full story by injecting a little creativity, a little ingenuity, and a lot of passion into its work

"

9 I Linkup Addis Ababa

These sentiments were echoed at the launch event of the magazine.

Anna told me the magazine is not simply a ‘glamour stunt’ (and that neither is the brand) and that both are her effort to inform the narrative on Ethiopian culture and the vast, untapped potential that it has to create a narrative that is fresh and positive. Like me, she does not think focusing on the negative is the way to move forward.

Photo by: Abenezer Geleta

“The fashion industry is a multibillion-dollar industry that contributes to the wealth and prosperity of countries all around the world”, she says. Which is true. The bright lights and general vanity of the fashion world, I think, make it easy to forget that it has tremendous firepower in bringing economic change, at the very least. Brands like African Mosaique give local professionals and what have you the chance to compete against multinational conglomerates. They might even revive a local industry that hasn’t moved a single step since the invention of the loom.

10 I Linkup Addis Ababa

Looking at the exhibit that the brand had put together, I was struck by how the clothing was not only Ethiopian but essentially African. Instead of the usual white clothing interlaced with elaborate religious symbols, African Mosaique’s apparel comes in a wide array of designs and colors that are reminiscent of the eclectic flora and fauna of tropical rainforests, the scorching evenness of deserts, the coolness of mountains, the fertility of savannahs, and even the chaos of cities.

While these things can be thought of as reminders of our lack of development’, these things are what make us one with and in nature and are essential parts of where we came from and where we are headed. African Mosaique is one of the brands that seem intent on telling this full story by injecting a little creativity, a little ingenuity, and a lot of passion into its work.

This is the motivation behind much of what Anna does.

A successful model with experience in the industry across the world, she says that her biggest motivation when she created the brand was the lack of high-end fashion in a country that had a lot of potentials. This is why her brand is not only focused on production, and serves as a platform to emerging and established local designers by providing on-job training, transfer of knowledge, and marketing opportunities.

Many seem to want to be part of this mission and are certainly willing to back it up. Upon entering the venue, the first thing that struck me was the sheer number of local brands that I recognized that were sponsoring the event; there were 28. Vendor trucks from Tomoca Coffee and Hyatt Regency, stands dedicated to Kategna Restaurant and Effoi, and many more were present, all willing to bear the scorching heat of the day to witness something in the making. Exactly how far and deep that something will go, time will tell.

CatchUp

Kahbang Music and Art Festival Nathan Seyoum

I

Photo from:verbicidemagazine.com

n Portland, one famous musician is gearing up to do her set for the evening for an eagerly anticipating crowd of more than 5,000. The figures are not clear, but the previous day the festival drew nearly 15,000 people – a record for the arts and film festival born out of a small town. The artist is St. Vincent, and it is clear that a flock of people was in the city to see her. Of course, several other big names were on the roster as well such as Mumford and Sons and the famous rapper DMX. The festival used to take place in Bangor, a small town in Maine. However, to accommodate a bigger crowd, the organizers of Kahbang Art and Music Festival had to be creative.

12 I Linkup Addis Ababa

What makes Kahbang unique is that it showcases music that is not bound by genre. All types of music are played there ranging from folk bands to rappers, jazz artists to House performers, or punk rock to country. As it is so, many people from across the United States and the world gather around at the festival as there is something for everyone.

In 2009, the Kahband Art and Music Festival officially launched in Bangor, Maine. With some 3,000 attendees it sported a two-day bonanza where music and film were both engulfed by the audience, and all-around entertainment was delivered. Fast forward five years, and it became

"In Portland, one famous musician is gearing up to do her set for the evening for an eagerly anticipating crowd of more than 5,000. The figures are not clear but the previous day the festival drew nearly 15,000 people..."

Photo from: scontent.fadd1-1.fna

"The festival is an all-rounder. It consists of four days of provocative films and mind-bending music."

13 I Linkup Addis Ababa

one of the biggest venues that Maine had ever seen.

The festival is an all-rounder.

It consists of four days of provocative films and mindbending music. The main aim of the festival, as such, is to promote young and upcoming artists so that they can be discovered and introduced to the mainstream media with a mission to bring emerging talents in film, music, and other forms of art.

Photo from: igloofest.ca

The festival takes place near a waterfront near Bangor where all forms of art coalesce. There are painters and sculptures near fountains and the green areas showing their arts. Performing arts are also displayed off stage

14 I Linkup Addis Ababa

to immerse the audience in the activity. Of course, the music is the bell of the ball but not before the films are screened.

What makes Kahbang unique is that it gives equal weight to film and music in the festival. For that purpose, a quite diverse set of people come to enjoy the not-socrazy part of the festival, which is sitting down and watching films.

There are several categories of film selection to choose from.

Over the four days, one can catch Gen-Next, an array of narrative and documentary features that aim to provoke and stir up some conversation. LMFAO is another category, which, as the name indicates, screens comedy flicks that are from up-and-coming

artists. IFilms is a category on its own where filmmakers display their films shot on iPhones. The other categories like Music Docs, Mainstream, and others magnify the film-going experience at the festival.

In 2014, the Kahbang Art and Film festival ceased the music part for the unforeseeable future and focuses on showcasing films from amateur filmmakers. The annual event still brings people from all over the world into one stage at its new home, Portland, Maine.

15 I Linkup Addis Ababa

EatUp

Guac On Kidus Assefa

W

Photo by: Abenezer Geleta

hen viewed from the outside, this new place is as secluded as it gets. Printed digital artworks, hand-woven traditional artifacts, black and white photographs all residing with purpose on simple white walls that serve as the canvas for all hung ornaments to take center stage. There is even a wall that had Bogolan (Mali mud prints) inspired patterns end to end- a demonstration of the smart use of a simplistic design that avoids visual voids and chaos. African wax-print chairs, oil-treated wood table tops all so deliberately arranged, they even serve some dishes on wooden block slabs.

The gastronomic journey began with “Curry on” tacos - chicken tikka on a base of cooked spinach, then topped by fresh tomatoes, onions & aromatic cilantro that

16 I Linkup Addis Ababa

A League of Its Own

filled the air with its fresh scent even before the food was put on the table.

The first bite often sets the tone to the impression of a dish, with vague expectations and little to no clue; diners can do nothing but imagine.

So, I did. And even though I accurately guessed the flavor & texture of the chicken tikka layered on top of a base of blanched spinach, I couldn’t have anticipated the whole mouth-feel and harmony of flavors.

Fresh tomatoes, onions, cilantro & co.; tortillas providing the right strength & chew to wrap up everything, taco assembly is on point here. A great feat I saw repeated with the next option, the “So-mush love” tacos; an entirely different flavor profile equally as interesting. Savory umami attributed to the mushrooms and berbere soy which could easily be mistaken for teriyaki. The broccoli gives the taco somebody, a little burn from berbere.

"Cooking techniques from the orient mixed with local seasonal ingredients, impeccable presentation and an amazing atmosphere, what more can one ask for?"

Photo:by: Abenezer Geleta Photo Abenezer Geleta

"Drinks were up next. Organic, sugarfree juices with quite some options, even one perfect for the indecisive picky brat in us all- time to spoil myself."

17 I Linkup Addis Ababa

The mushrooms almost taste like lightly stir-fried meat, even better with the fresh crunch from the onions.

One of Ethiopia’s most iconic dishes is the platter of stews, meat & vegetable dishes called ‘Beye Aynetu’. Served on a tray suitable for communal eating, combining and sampling more than one or two dishes at a time, ‘Beye Aynetu’ is an artist’s palette of contrasting flavors & colors. Guac On’s take on the classic - “Bae-yenetu” - ticks off every box, and even adds an element of surprise owed to some creativity. ‘Shiro’, ‘Misir’, fresh nutty greens brought to life by peppery vinegar dressing, steamed spinach & broccoli fit the role inconspicuously. The sweet potato chips and mushroom stir fry that took a seat next to beef ‘tibs’ were fairly new. The bright pink-hued beet hummus was quite a character, subtle earthy flavors that only the nose can detect through the upper palate & a few can truly appreciate.

Photo by: Abenezer Geleta

Vegan burgers are from my experience – albeit limited in that area – not so appetizing. Maybe it is

18 I Linkup Addis Ababa

because the attempts are aimed at replicating something else, which I have strong views about. An exception like most items on this foodie paradise of a menu, this burger didn’t let down. The unique presentation was an indication, in hindsight, of the wonders that lied within the soft buns. Soft airy bread, Brioche I’m guessing, is the first layer of the warm burger, the toasty sesame seeds hit first. Great job with the patty, which doesn’t give away much but has quite a complexity of flavor. Grilled well, the charred exterior had nice browning that almost seems like a ground beef patty. But that wasn’t just all the goodness this sandwich had to offer; the other fillings were the stars in my opinion. Juicy grilled pineapple slices that meld with the sweet piquancy of chili sauce, brightness, and tang from pickled onions, fresh lettuce, and cilantro, the array of flavors is borderline overwhelming. Add to such creativity, the use of sweet potatoes as a substitute for their cousins served with sweet chili sauce. I already personally prefer

"...This burger didn’t let down.

The unique presentation was an indication, in hindsight, of the wonders that lied within the soft buns."

sweet potato fries; it’s the fried starchiness plus the sweetness characteristic of sweet potatoes.

Drinks were up next. Organic, sugar-free juices with quite some options, even one perfect for the indecisive picky brat in us all-time to spoil myself. I picked the “Tinish Tinish Taster” – small portions of all their juices including “Berbere boost” – citrus & spice galore, Lookin' pine, the sweet herbaceous watermelon (Hubba hubba).

My personal favorites were the green juice with round, complex flavors of cucumber, herbs & more and “Let the beet drop’ - raw juiced beets glorified by citrusy sweetness.

Photo by: Abenezer Geleta

Cooking techniques from the orient mixed with local seasonal ingredients, impeccable presentation, and an amazing atmosphere, what more can one ask for?

One of the most intriguing menus I have come across in town, food is truly celebrated here. Cutting edge, innovative and exciting, Guac-On Addis can set higher standards and a precedent other can be inspired by, like I was, to push boundaries and shoot into a higher culinary stratosphere.

19 I Linkup Addis Ababa

20 I Linkup Addis Ababa

CloseUp

A Moment with

Lucie James Kidus Assefa

A

mong the few culture hotspots in Addis, Alliance Ethio-Francaise remains renowned for its consistency over the past several years, vibrancy, and inclusive openness. It is undoubtedly the most important player in Addis's cultural and event scene as well. At the heart of Alliance's vibrant activity is its dedicated team led by our Lucie James, the cultural and art director for three years, at Alliance.

Lucie has impacted a lot in the sector, many creatives still thank her for all the support provided to lift their careers as artists. LinkUp Addis's Kidus Assefa sat down with Lucie to unveil what makes this driving force tick, up close and personal. Enjoy the read.

Photo by: Mekbeb Tadesse

Could you tell us a little about your upbringing?

I was born in France, although I left the country when I was just two weeks old. My parents had to move, and so we were then living in the Congo, where we stayed for a year. We then moved again to Chile for a few years before going back to France.

21 I Linkup Addis Ababa

I grew up in the suburbs of Paris, which is very important because there is quite a distinction, to the point that it wasn’t exactly “Paris”, where I spent my whole formative education years in an international school so I never really felt like I was immersed in the strictly-French culture.

It was more of an international context, and it almost sums up my background & upbringing, I guess.

What interests of yours and influences would you say have shaped you?

As I said, although I grew up in France in a French family, I still was more influenced by the ubiquitous international influences. It was natural for me to have people of different backgrounds, with different customs & norms around me. I always found it fascinating, but it was still the normal default for me as well, I think this was what opened me to the world. My first language was Spanish, after which I picked up French, so you can imagine how international schooling and living abroad during such a young age has shaped who I am today. Being

open to differences has to be one of the most important elements I incorporated from that education.

Another influence I would have to say is how the French and the French government approach culture. It is valued where I come from and seen as something everybody needs to grow. Throughout my entire life, I was able to go to museums and shows, since it was so accessible for everybody. I almost took it for granted until I started leaving the country & realized that this wasn’t something given to everybody.

Yet we still need it because it is just as important as food, shelter, and love.

What do you miss about France/ the Francophone world in general?

"To start with the commonalities [Between Ethiopian and French cultures), I believe there’s something subtle and delicate about both cultures."

I know this might sound arrogant, but what I would appreciate most when I go back to France would be anonymity. It is not that I am a public figure here or anything, but the concept of privacy here in Ethiopia is a little blurry. Since I don’t have a car (I have never wanted one, but I know how to drive). I like walking around, and during my daily commute, there would be people constantly commenting on me, saying this and that. I used to laugh it off at first, but after 8 years of constantly dealing with it, it gets to you, and it is starting to affect me. So, I love it when I go back to France and nobody cares about me, nobody looks at me, nobody bothers.

Probably one of the reasons I left France, but I miss that now.

What cultural commonalities/ contrasts have you noticed between the two societies?

Photo by: Mekbeb Tadesse

To start with the commonalities, I believe there is something subtle and delicate about both cultures.

They are both somehow refined and sophisticated in a way; I love how deep and preserved both cultures are. Both have strong astronomy, music culture, and so on. I love how both nurture their respective cultures. When it comes to the contrasts… I mean it is a completely different world.

I sometimes feel schizophrenic as I go back & forth. It is chaotic

here and sometimes mild and dull over there. Not that chaotic is a bad thing, but I cannot stress how everything is so contrasting. The smells, the ways people interact, and whatnot. I love how the city feels small here, in a way it almost feels like a village. It is an entirely different mindset, and it takes a lot of patience to get accustomed to, which I don’t have much of, but it is teaching me a lot of things for sure.

What was it like at first after moving here?

When I first came to Ethiopia, I looked for a job at a tour company and very quickly I got a little bit bored. Because I felt like tourism in Ethiopia is always the same & nobody would go off-beaten tracks. It would be so difficult to do anything outside the usual route.

That tested my patience because that was not what I was looking for. I just dropped it. The week I had landed in Ethiopia, for some strange reason, I decided that I wanted to start dancing, mixing African and contemporary dance, which I had never done before.

When I looked for that here, I found a phone number and when I called it was Adissu Demissie (from Destino dance company).

Back then, Destino didn’t exist, but they had a little class in the slums near the Ministry of Health.

Something just started boiling within me; I wondered what was

happening in this class; it was something special that I had never experienced before. It was here where my interest to be part of the creative scene started. Gradually they became more important to me than my tour job, and we became friends. I was trying to find ways to support them, so I worked with them on a few small projects. Then, I quit my job. I didn’t have a job for a while, but I still wanted to stay here, working with them. However, there was no budget. I was just going around spending time with my artist friends; I would go to this art studio and spend days there soaking in their vibes. Then Destino received some funding from the EU for a big project about promoting, documenting & celebrating traditional Ethiopian dance with a contemporary twist to it. They needed someone to coordinate the project, so they asked me and had me. I was so passionate about what I was doing. I felt like I was putting my energy in the right place; things were aligning, and this was the reason I was here. Along the way, I learned so much about the culture, about the country, the dances. There was this tour where we had to do some research on the seven regional states in Ethiopia, which aimed to understand the inspiration behind the dances. We then organized the first international dance festival in Addis. We then published a book and produced a documentary

"It’s funny because I am an expat in the sense that I’m a foreigner residing here, but I have never considered myself an expat here"

22 I Linkup Addis Ababa

movie about the whole thing. That was my introduction to working in the creative scene here in Ethiopia.

How is life in Addis as an expat?

Any culture shock anecdotes you want to share?

Photo by: Mekbeb Tadesse

It is funny because I am an expat in the sense that I’m a foreigner residing here, but I have never considered myself an expat here.

I was first working at a local tour company here, and my colleagues were Ethiopians. I had such a small salary that I couldn’t do many crazy things. I was living in an Ethiopian way somehow, as much as possible.

I was here most of the time eating Ethiopian food, living in a fairly simple house being humble with people around me having coffee the traditional way with my landlord. I would move around the city with mini-buses, which I’m pretty good at getting around with, so I know my way around, and I walk a lot. Back then, I would never see any “ferenji” walking on the streets, though that is changing now; I was on my own.

As a result, I can say I know Addis fairly well. My Ethiopian friends would be surprised when I point them to unknown shortcuts or hidden small cafes and spots. They would wonder how I knew these.

"I was living in an Ethiopian way somehow, as much as possible. I was here most of the time eating Ethiopian food, living in a fairly simple house being humble with people around me having coffee the traditional way with my landlord."

23 I Linkup Addis Ababa

That is how I make my case of not being an expat but just a foreigner, but to answer the question, I must say it is a fascinating place.

I consciously decided to move to Ethiopia, there weren’t any job openings, or I did not follow someone. I fought and actively looked for a way to come here. I was mesmerized by the country from the start. I was so curious and eager to better understand what was going on here because it was such a mystery to me. And like I mentioned, that depth in everything… Even in the people’s look, there is just something deep, special, and unique. I wanted to explore and understand it more.

What's your professional background?

I studied international business in Mexico; then worked for a magazine that focused on art there. I later moved back to France and started working in tourism.

It was all about the adventure; I wanted to explore the world. I wanted to feel the adrenaline, so I worked in tourism for a decade, first in France, where I was in charge of developing adventure tours in South America. We would often go up all the mountains

in sight; I used to trek a lot; it was all about the mountains. After a while, I got tired of Paris, so I left my job to move to India, where I was a motorbike guide in the Himalayas, which was a completely different experience. Following that, I worked in Mozambique for a while, at a lodge on Lake Malawi. I then moved to Iceland where I was a mountain tour guide. I have this weird love and attraction for volcanoes (actually the first reason I wanted to come to Ethiopia too). I can say my background is tourism all the way.

What projects or commitments are you currently working on?

I am committed to the creative scene here, sometimes way too much I must admit. My work tends to extend into my personal life; it is difficult to separate the two. I am helping artists in any way I can, artists from here and the East African region.

I am really into alternative art, alternative forms of expression that push boundaries. I am interested in supporting that, I feel like there is so much brewing and just needs that little push to become a voice and make a change.

Could you briefly tell us about "On the Grind"?

It was initiated three years ago after a Canadian living here, who wanted to do an exhibition on skateboarding, brought the idea to me. I loved the idea straight away, but then I was wondering if we could do a little bit more than just an exhibition because I had wanted to do something regarding underground culture. So, from that underground exhibition, we fleshed it out into something bigger which involved more disciplines that fall under that alternative underground umbrella. That was how it started.

On the second edition, we got a little more funding, then it grew and became a project that included a call for applications for Ethiopian artists to submit their work. We showcased a few of the selected projects, then the Goethe institute liked the whole concept, and we teamed up to get bigger funding which allowed us to have the “On the grind” that we are currently launching. It is still about supporting the rising Ethiopian underground scene. We’re also supporting two structural activities in addition to the festival: a yearlong program with the skateboard community here and a collaboration between Rophnan and a Ugandan music producer. So, the project is getting bigger, involving more people, partners, and attendees. It is a small scene with so much to say, so it’s about giving a voice to the less heard.

Photo by: Mekbeb Tadesse

What qualifies as underground for you, in an artistic sense?

For me it’s an art form or form of expression that is different, to put it plainly, but something that challenges mentalities, the status quo, something not too provocative but disruptive and bold. Something that makes a strong statement with a strong message cut it for me. And I think it’s so beautiful to be different, right? And rather than being ashamed of that because you are not like your neighbor, we should celebrate that. In certain societies, it is difficult to stand out, be different, and take pride in that. So, we want to celebrate values like tolerance, respect, and so on.

24 I Linkup Addis Ababa

How do you balance your work, family, and social life?

I’m struggling, I’m really bad at that.

I think this is the one thing I should work on… setting my boundaries.

I’m very passionate about what I do and tend to give priority to other people’s projects over my wellbeing sometimes. The things I’ve been able to do at Alliance or Destino, I wouldn’t have been able to do if it weren’t for the strong support system I have around me.

It’s funny because I believe I’m a strong woman with thick skin, but I’m very fragile at the same time. I get a lot of energy from the people I work with. I often have these moments where I witness something great in the works and am reminded why I am here doing what I do; it fills me with so much joy. These people around me are making me stand. I have several people that have been there for me consistently making sure that I am standing. That keeps me going, because they appreciate what I do, not only for the work but also as a person.

"I’m very passionate about what I do and tend to give priority to other people’s projects over my wellbeing sometimes."

What'sUp

Selo Craft Tella

Ethiopia's Favorite Drink Finally Got Its place in Bole Surafel Solomon

T

Photo by: Abenezer Geleta

he cultural significance of preserving traditions is something of paramount importance. We as a country have managed to lose many traditions and preserve some. Some of these traditions and cultural elements have even thrived.

Say for example the traditional dress designs, the “Tilet” has thrived due to two elements, the designers coming up with new ways of using the time-tested methods and the buyers that support the sector. Tej has been saved by cultural restaurant’s that spurred demand higher which in place led to more places offering the drink. However, Tella hasn’t had the same luck.

25 I Linkup Addis Ababa

For any that don’t know what Tella is, it is a traditional beer that is brewed from various grains. I remember as a child, my grandmother made Tella and Tej every holiday. My father’s aunt takes it even further and has always had the two beverages in her house for as far as my father can remember.

But these instances are rare, it is getting harder to make tella because sourcing the ingredients isn’t as easy as it used to be for individuals and the “Tella bet” that was the bar where one would find Tella is fast disappearing. A modern establishment that offers Tella as its main attraction is a rarity

"The place is as welcoming as the staff who will promptly and routinely keep the Tella flowing all night. On my first night, just a cup in and our conversation became livelier than it was. "

if not a first, and this is where Selo House comes in. Selo House is a newly opened bar that is putting a much-deserved spotlight back on Tella.

Photo by: Abenezer Geleta

Located behind Bole Medhanealem on a popular bar street, Selo offers six different types of Tella. Mebreq, which translates to Lightning, is the strongest of their offerings. It has a stronger taste and more pronounced flavors with a dark brown color. Dagusa (Ethiopian Finger Millet), which is the runner up in strength is slightly fizzy and a little less bitter.

Gerageru is the lighter version of Dagusa, which is also slightly fizzy but a lot smoother. Senkof (bee sting) is honey based tella, something I’ve never heard of. It is sweet and I definitely recommend it to anyone who

26 I Linkup Addis Ababa

prefers sweeter tastes. The Teff Tella has a dark gold foamy and is slightly stronger than Gerageru.

Finally, is the one most familiar to me, Ye Gebs Tella. The base for this is Barley and it has the taste that takes me back to asking my father for a sip of his drink every chance I got.

From my conversations with the owners, I learned that they try to preserve the traditional methods while ensuring the highest standards are maintained.

Everything is made in house using organic ingredients, from start to finish. According to them, the purer the ingredients are, the stronger and more flavorful the Tella is. The Tella is served either fresh or a couple of days later to allow further fermentation and strength

To tell you a bit about the aesthetics of Selo House, I’ll start off with the first thing that caught my eye, the beautiful lights that adorn the outdoor roof. The seating is well made old-school benches that are the signatures of traditional Tella Bet and Tej Bet. The place is as welcoming as the staff who will promptly and routinely keep the Tella flowing all night.

On my first night, just a cup in and our conversation became livelier than it was. A few more and the conversation was roaring. It is an impossibility to be quite or even talk calmly, everyone talks at the same time, everyone laughs at the same time, yet everyone understands each other. And if the Tella doesn't get the conversation going, their board games get you

going. They also serve a small selection of foods, and the grill kitchen is vegan on the weekends with mushroom tibs and other tasty options.

I am grateful Sello House opened for two reasons. One is the fact that, as I stated in the beginning of this article, it is of paramount importance that we preserve this traditional beverage.

And in my conversations with the owners, they aim to use the business to give Tella room to grow rather than use Tella to grow their business. Selo’s success would be the catalyst for more demand which in turn would increase the number of establishments offering it which means competition that leads to innovation and higher quality. Second, I just really like their Tella.

Photo by: Abenezer Geleta

"If the Tella doesn't get the conversation going, their board games get you going."

27 I Linkup Addis Ababa

28 I Linkup Addis Ababa

Reel Up

Kidus Tamiru

There is no way to summarize the “plot” of this movie into a concise and focused synopsis. To put it as simply as possible, Liyat is story about woman who is looking for her child that she’d given up for adoption years ago. It’s also about her violent brother, who is sort of the villain, looking for the missing father to kill him. And it’s also about the father who has been wallowing in regret for leaving and is drinking himself to death. This is the first Ethiopian movie I’ve seen in the cinema in a long time, and I had almost forgotten how terrible it can sometimes get. Some movies are so bad that they actually end up enjoyable, but this is just annoyingly bad.

This movie ticks off all the bad Ethiopian movie check boxes pretty fast. Forced romance? Right in the first act. They literally go from the girl whole heartedly refusing to give the guy her number to giving up their baby for adoption. I’m not even kidding. Color grading is completely sepia in the first 20 minutes and then goes to normal. Maybe it was supposed to be a flashback, I don’t know, it’s hard to tell. The directing is just miserable. The writing is full of overwritten dialog, too snappy in that way Ethiopian screenwriters seem to have mastered. It focuses on unnecessary exchanges while there’s more important information left to be conveyed.

There’s also the obligatory comic relief character, which at least in some movies entertains the audience. In this one, the only “funny” thing about him is that he stutters and might be a bit slow, which nobody even chuckled at.

Speaking of shitty Ethiopian film traditions, there is so much crying in this movie. Filmmakers still seem to think the mark of a good actor is how much tears and snot they can conjure up in seconds. It’s fucking insane how much screen time is wasted with so many characters are bawling at the camera. The female character started out a strong, independent woman in the introduction; it was set up so concretely I thought it was a serious character trait. And then, for the rest of the movie, she’s just a broken, self-pitying, and helpless girl crying her eyes out.

29 I Linkup Addis Ababa

As for another stupid cliché, this film is full of pointless montages. What makes this worse is that the montages are entirely made up of footage we’ve already seen, which makes it extra pointless and frustrating. This is a proper amateur film. I would have walked out of this movie pretty early on, had it not been to get the full picture for this review.

But the absolute worst part of this movie is the casting of the brother. He almost turned the movie into an unintentional comedy. A character who was supposed to be a terrifying and violent psychopath is played by a soft voiced little man. Not only is he not physically imposing, he’s got to be one of the worse actors I’ve ever seen. He doesn’t even try to act. He probably bankrolled the movie, there’s no other explanation for his casting.

The only good thing I appreciated about this movie is that it shows there are still filmmakers out there who are willing to make and release movies at the cinema, despite the unlikely returns on investment. Technically, that’s not a compliment for the film itself but still, it’s very important that we keep cinemas open, even if it’s for shitty films like this.

2.0/10 Directed By: Yewsen Lij (Shewi) Starring: Hana Merehatsedk, Hana Terefe, Yimer Abate Runtime: 1h30m

(Season 1)

Kidus Tamiru

True Detective is an anthology series where each season is a standalone self-contained story. I’ll be discussing the first season for this review. Season one follows two disparate but good detectives as they try to solve a complex murder case over a span of 17 years, told in a nonlinear fashion.

True detective is one of best shows I’ve ever seen. The acting, writing and directing is all well thought out and executed. You’ll have more respect for everybody involved in this after watching this show.

It’s a show that is both dynamic and deep. The story propels forward full speed but also develops the characters and themes deeply while it does.

Of all the series I’ve seen, True detective is the one that comes closest to feeling like a feature film. The whole show feels like a long movie chopped up and presented in episodes.

The main reason for this is that it’s one of the very few shows that have a single writer and single director working on the whole thing with one singular

30 I Linkup Addis Ababa

vision. The writer Nic Pizzolato has a background as a novelist and it shows. Cary Fukunaga (who is also the first director for a James Bond movie, the upcoming one) has a talent for slow, character driven drama as well as dynamic and tense action scenes. And the combination of the two is what makes the first season of this show one of best shows. I highly recommend True Detective for people who are into intense, gritty dramas. In what other show would you find a combination of fantastic long take action sequences, horror elements, and philosophical discussions on Christianity, existentialism and other stuff, all in one episode?

9.5/10 Genre: Crime, Drama Created By: Nic Pizzolatto Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Woody Harrelson, Michelle Monaghan

LinkUp Bucket List

Africa's Five Biggest Movie Studios Alula Abadi

During this time when infotainment and pop culture are more prevalent than ever, it is becoming more and more important to accommodate Entertainment as part of the main stream economy in third world countries. The western world embraced the arts at a very early age and as a result has been reaping the benefits ever since. Hence, in order to be a part of this fascinating world and to be able to have a piece of the entertainment pie, we must develop our own mediums to accommodate such grand projects that can change a country’s GDP forever. And so, in the spirit of entertaining the masses, here are the top five Studios in Africa.

Cape Town Film Studios Located in cape town South Africa, cape town film studios are a custom-built studio, which is considered the first of its kind in Africa. The studio started operations in 2010 and has since been revered as a world-class film studio that is completely on par with the biggest Hollywood studios with all its state-of-theart support services. The studio has produced films like “Safe House” starring Denzel Washington and “Blood Diamond” which starred Leonardo DiCaprio.

Urban Brew Studios Located at the heart of South Africa, Urban Brew is a studio like no other, and it has been part of entertainment in Africa for almost 30 years. This vast experience has helped this studio to spread its influence among all sectors of the entertainment business. Their services range from Television and graphics to Film.

31 31 II Linkup LinkupAddis AddisAbaba Ababa

Trigger Fish Animation Studios Moving further away from live action and in to the very difficult world of animation is Trigger Fish. Yet another studio located in Cape Town but one that stands among the few animation studios in the country. They started work in 1996 and have since given the audience inspiring works of art and entertainment. They are known to work closely with Magic Light Pictures.

Sunrise Productions Sunrise is another animation studio located in Cape town, and it is also mainly concerned with works of animation and children’s cartoons. Launched in 1998 they have since grown in to a state-of-the-art studio which has provided Africa’s young with many long running animated series and films. The most famous of which is The Legend of the Sky Kingdom, a 2003 film about three friends on a great adventure, which saw a comfortable reception and positive reviews from the audience and critics alike.

Killarney Film Studios Established in 1915 by New York Native Lsidore W. Schlesinger. Killarney was the very first Motion picture in Africa. The studio was built on what used to be the Empire Theatre in Johannesburg after the founder bought it from the city and turned it in to what was then known as The Killarney. During their run time they were able to work on grand projects like variety shows and films that spanned all across Africa. The studio had a very wholesome and historic run until it was finally demolished in 1972 by John Schlesinger who was Lsidore’s son and then manager of the estate.

The land was then used to build Johannesburg’s first mall, The Killarney Mall.

32 I I Linkup LinkupAddis AddisAbaba Ababa 32

ListenUp

Origins ARMAGHEDION

I

n the beginning, there was Jack…and Jack had a groove, and from this groove came the groove of all grooves, one day, while viciously throwing down on his box, Jack boldly declared, “Let There Be House,” and House music was born

Well, not exactly. Chuck Roberts proclaimed these words on the now-classic Rhythm Controll’s 1987 track ‘My House’ released on Catch A Beat Records during the height of House music’s feverish grip of global dancefloors. But if this wasn’t when House music was born, then when was it? And who made it? And finally, who IS Jack?

Before we can answer these questions, we have to go back in time. Because before there was House, there was Disco, and in the 1970s, Disco was everything.

House Music

The sound of Disco dominated clubs, bars, and dance floors alike throughout the 1970’s. Fuelled by the escapist desires of the maligned Black and Latinx communities of major metropolitan cities; namely New York, Philadelphia and Chicago, the music and the experiential and liberating nature of the spaces these parties offered provided an oasis of sorts, a safe haven in which the pressures and crushing reality of the world could be ignored, where patrons on the dancefloor were equalsregardless of race, sexuality and income bracket. To backtrack for a moment for the sake of context, the 70’s were a difficult time for people of color in the United States as the optimism of the gains made in the civil rights movement gave way to a sobering reality: record levels of

inflation and unemployment, coupled with simmering racial tensions due to the perceived injustices of Affirmative Action (big LOL ammiright) amongst other factors made for a tense zeitgeist.

Record labels and radio were quick to pick up on this infectious and exuberant sound, and before you knew it the 110-130 beats per minute foot stomping joyous melodies were being heard everywhere. Pop culture took notice and films like John Badham’s Saturday Night Fever (1977) only served to amplify and cement this wave. The rapid rise and subsequent commercialization of the

33 I Linkup Addis Ababa

Photo: Disco Demolition Night

sound drew the ire of hipsters (Yes, pretentious assholes existed then too) and music snobs. Take for example this McDonald’s advertisement that aired in 1979 (Also, small tangent, does anyone also see any parallels with the meteoric rise and commodification of EDM with this KFC performance at Ultra? Word of caution, your ears will bleed).

Photo: Disco Demolition Night

Photo: Larry Levan in the booth @ Paradise Garage, New York

Photo: Paradise Garage, New York

34 I Linkup Addis Ababa

Just as quickly as it started the era of Disco came to an end with Disco Demolition Night on July 12th 1979, as radio personality Steve Dahl (A radio rock DJ fired in favor of a more disco oriented programming and overall petty human being) drew a massive crowd to the struggling Chicago White Sox home stadium, Comiskey Park, during their game with the Detroit Tigers to blow up a crate of Disco vinyls. Dahl drew a large crowd of 50,000 people by charging less than a dollar and at least one disco record.

Predictably, the large racist elephant in the room reared its ugly head as the event descended into chaos as a full-scale riot ensued, the explosion destroying the field, with scores of people injured and the Baseball game forfeited by the White Sox. Witnesses in attendance recall a large proportion of records destroyed weren’t necessarily even Disco, but a lot of black music (Remember Disco was predominantly Black, whereas at this time Rock was White).

This event triggered the decline in Disco, commercially at least, but also pointed to a deep underlying racism and homophobia with the resistance to the genre, and "pointed out irrelevance of 'musical taste makers' " Concurrently, DJs in New York and later Chicago (Larry Levan, Frankie Knuckles and Ron Hardy) were evolving the sound, and shying away from mega hits in favor of more groovy and subtle records. As these records were quite limited in nature, these DJs became quite creative in their manipulation of them, creating new sounds and spawning new techniques that ultimately altered the Disco sound. The extended breakdowns and rhythm sections of these tracks became a playground for DJs, as they would buy two copies of every record and cut back and forth over drum sections, creating infinite grooves. During this period of time a majority of DJs would play 90% of the record, Larry Levan, Frankie Knuckles and Ron Hardy threw this out the window and started chopping and changing parts, using bits they saw the crowd responded to and repeating them, sometimes playing the same song several times in a row. This helped to cement DJ culture, as the ability to manipulate already existing music to create something new became a key part of this movement away from Disco and closer to something more resembling House music as we know it today.

The availability of new technology in the 80’s was also a game changer. As the 80’s rolled in, drum machines like the Roland TR-808, TR-707, TR-909 and synthesizers like the Roland TB303 (These were all considered commercial failures as high-end studios turned up their noses at them, and were thus available on the cheap) made their way into the hands of these pioneering DJs turned producers; the Disco sound started to morph and bands and drummers were replaced with drum machines and synthesizers. These new sounds and the early beginnings of House could be heard in New York’s Paradise Garage where Larry

Levan resided, and in also in Chicago, at The Warehouse and The Music Box, the homes of Frankie Knuckles and Ron Hardy respectively. This harder more club and dance oriented sound influenced by the utilization of new technology over familiar catchy hooks and vocals were the dawn of a new genre. Radio stations sat up and took notice of this new sound, and Hot Mix 5 Radio show was born and quickly became Chicago’s number 1 radio station- all while only playing House music. While it's hard to pinpoint exactly when and where House music started, it is widely believed to be around this time period. The name House music itself came from when record shops started labeling this new style of music on vinyls as ‘House’- to indicate where the music came from, The Warehouse. And just like that House music was born.

people’s desire to dance and feel free.

Personally, I find this period fascinating, as the birth of house music was the confluence of several factors; namely, the socio-economic climate, the availability of new technology, the inertia and momentum generated by a handful of pioneering DJs and producers, the foresight and vision of venue owners and promoters, and the enduring appetite for something new, fresh and ultimately-

House is centered on the 4/4time signature, characterized by 4 on the floor drums, with snares on beats 2 and 4, typically ranging from 120-130 beats per minute.

Featuring catchy synth laden hooks and big disco influenced diva style vocals.

PS Jack was the name of a dance move associated with chunky, robotic sounds of early protoHouse and late disco, it involved holding on to something and allowing the music to move you (I really tried but words can’t quite capture this movement, watch this to get a better idea) PPS It seems remiss not to mention the rise of Italo Disco around the same time as a significant step in the birth of House music. But word limits maaan. Google it and perhaps check out this documentary.

TL; DR House came from Disco.

Structure:

Significant Songs: Your LoveFrankie Knuckles (Widely acknowledged as House music’s first anthem)

On and OnJesse Saunders

Move Your Body- Marshall Jefferson (Introduction of a musical approach, as highlighted by the prominent piano)

35 I Linkup Addis Ababa

Photo: The Warehouse, Chicago

ListenUp

LinkUp

Horoscope Tewodros Tadesse

Aires The beginning of the month enhances your communications skills. On the 13th, the new lunar phase in Pisces will activate your spiritual side. From March 20 until mid-April, it's your season and you’re in the spotlight. The full moon on the 28th, will bring issues related to relationship, marriage and legal cases.

Taurus Expect some fiery motivations in regarding your financial life from the 3rd of March. On the mid of the month, you could find yourselves in a new connection, friends and sudden gains. The rest of the month is spiritual and seclusive. On the end of the month, things related to your health, routines and work will be center stage.

Gemini Your energetic throughout this month. Your active and quite argumentative. On the mid of the month, new beginning is probable in your career life. The rest of the month promise new friendship and connections.

On the 28th, the full moon will culminate your creative and romantic life.

Cancer The first half of the month puts you in a meditative state and the mid of the month will increase your quest for truth, religion, higher studies and foreign cultures. From the second half of March, your focus will be related to your career life. The full moon on the 28th, will shine on your family and home life.

Leo From the 3rd of the month, your active in your social circle and community.

On the mid of the month expect new beginning related to your intimacy and shared resources. From the 20th until mid April, your focus will divert towards higher studies, religion and foreign travel. The full moon on the end of March will increase your level of communication.

36 I Linkup Addis Ababa

Virgo You full of energy in regards to your work and social standings starting from the 3rd of March. New partnership is on table around mid March. The rest of the month is hidden and intense for you. Your psychological and sharing resources.

On the 28th, full moon will highlight your financial life.

Libra Your highly motivated in your studies and belief system starting from the first week of March. From the 13th of the month, expect new schedules and routines related to your health and work. From the 20th of the month to mid April, it's about relationship and partnership. The full moon on the 28th, will focus on you and your persona.

Scorpio From the 3rd of the month, your intimacy life will be empowered. You feel more powerful. The new lunar phase on the 13th, will bless you with new creative and romantic ventures. The rest of the month will put your focus to work, health and daily routines. On the 28th, the full moon will shine on your spiritual life.

Sagittarius This month highlights your relationship with other people. On the mid March, things related to family and home life will have new beginning. The second half of the month, your romantic and creative sector of life will be prominent. The full moon on the 28th will bring issues regarding friends and community.

Capricorn On the beginning of the month, you could be motivated to keep up with your health routines and work. On the 13th, the new lunar phase will help you find new beginning through communication with siblings or neighbors. The rest of the month is all about your home and family life. On the 28th, the full moon will highlight your career life.

Aquarius From 3rd of March, you could be dating and doing creative projects. On the mid of the month, you could have new beginning in your financial world. From the 20th till mid-April expect a lot of communications. The full moon on the 28th, will help you disclose issues related to your beliefs, foreign travel and higher education

Pisces The month begins with an energetic tone surrounding your family and household. From the 13th of the month, expect new beginning regarding yourself.

The rest of the month is about your work and financial speculation. The full moon on the 28th, will bring issues regarding intimacy, psychology and shared resources.

37 I Linkup Addis Ababa

City Guide

Hotels in Addis Hyatt Regency Addis Ababa Location: Meskel Square Contact No: +251 11 517 1234 Website: www.hyatt.com Star:

Sheraton Addis: Luxury Collection Location: Taytu Street Contact No: +251 11 517 1717 Website: https://www. marriott.com/hotels/travel/ addlc-sheraton-addis-aluxury-collection-hotel-addisababa/ Star:

Hilton Hotel: Addis Ababa

Best Western Hotel

Location: Minilik II Street Contact No: +251 11 517 0000 Website: addisababa.hilton.com Star:

Location: Namibia Street (Next to Edna Mall) Contact No: +251 11 667 1414 Website: www. bwplusaddisababa.com Star:

Intercontinental Hotel Location: Kazanchis Contact No: +251 11 518 0444 Website: http://intercontinentaladdis. com/

Location: Africa Street Contact No: +251 11 639 3131 Website: https://www. ramadaaddis.com/

Star:

Star:

Golden Tulip

Capital Hotel and Spa

Location: Bole Road Contact No: +251 116 18 33 33 Website: https://addisababa.goldentulip.com/ Star:

Location: Haile G/silassie Avenue Contact No: +251 116 19 2000 Website: https://capitalhotelandspa. com/ Star:

Azzeman Hotel

Sapphire Addis

Location: Namibia Street Contact No: +251 11 639 31 31 Website: https://azzemanhotel.com/ Star:

38 I Linkup Addis Ababa

Ramada Hotel

Location: Namibia Street Contact No: +251 639 3907 Website: https://www. sapphireaddishotel.com/ Star:

Cafe & Pastries Tomocca

Casscara Coffee & Cocktails

Location: Namibia Street (Next to Bole Medhanialem), Piassa Across Eliana Hotel

Location: Meskel Square (Inside Hyatt Regency)

Contact No: +251 93 007 8086

Contact No: +251 11 517 1234

Closes at: 8:00PM

Closes at: 12:00AM

Customer Rating: 4.8/5

Customer Rating: 5.0/5

Garden of Coffee

Bilos Cafe & Pastry

Location: Namibia Street

Location: Next to Millennium Hall

Contact No: +251 93 036 2308

Contact No: +251 93 003 3177

Closes at: 9:00PM

Closes at: 8:30PM

Customer Rating: 4.6/5

Customer Rating: 4.4/5

Chaka Coffee

Bake and Brew

Location: Africa Avenue

Location: Sarbet

Contact No: +251 91 120 2888

Contact No: +251 91 306 0147

Closes at: 9:00PM

Closes at: 8:00PM

Customer Rating: 4.4/5

Customer Rating: 4.3/5

Tryst Addis

YA Coffee Roasters

Location: Olympia (on the way from Dembel City Center to Bambis)

Location: CMC Road, Next to Gesund Cardiac Hospital

Contact No: +251 94 406 1818

Contact No: +251 92 795 7171

Closes at: 7:00PM

Closes at: -

Customer Rating: 4.4/5

Customer Rating: 4.9/5

Dumerso Coffee

Feresula Coffee

Location: South Africa Street (Bisrate Gabriel)

Location: Africa Street

Contact No: +251 320 3973

Contact No: +251 96 641 1151 Closes at: 6:00pm

Closes at: 8:30PM

Customer Rating: 5.0/5

Customer Rating: 4.8/5

39 I Linkup Addis Ababa

Your choices for the best Ethiopian Coffee Experience

Coworking Spaces

Affordable spaces for startups looking for spaces to work and for business people in Addis for a short or long-term stay

iceaddis

Blue Space

Location: Bole, Near Hayat Hospital, Zewdu Bldg. 5th floor

Location: Namibia Street, Grace Plaza 4th Floor, near Atlas Hotel

Contact: www.iceaddis.com contact@iceaddis.com +251 11 667 4804

Contact: www.bluespace.work info@bluspace.work

Services: High speed wifi, standing desks, been bags, printer, scanner, projector, microphone, kitchen, free parking

Services: High speed wifi, working desks, printer, scanner, projector, relax zone, kitchen Starting Rates : 350ETB/day

Starting Rates : 380ETB/day

Abro Coworking Space

Xhub Addis Location: Cameroon Street, Morning Star Mall 5th Floor Contact: http://xhubaddis.com/ working/ info@xhubaddis.com +251 91 170 1361

Location: Namibia Street

Services: Wifi, free photocopy/ print (30 pages)

Services: Wifi, photocopy/print, desk, chair

Contact: https://abro-co-workingspace.business.site/ +251 911 11 0742

Starting Rates : 250ETB/day

Restaurants

Starting Rates : 250ETB/day

If you are thinking to explore international and cultural cuisine Addis has to offer, here are a few you may consider.

Italian restaurants

Agnese Restaurant

Mama Mia Italian Restaurant

Location: Old Airport Contact: +251 98 048 3824

Castelli Italian Restaurant

Location: Piassa, Mahatama-Gandhi Street, in front of Mohamud Music Shop Contact: +251 11 557 1757

Location: Next to Mele Zenawi Foundation, DAR Sahara Street Contact: +251 92 900 2218

40 I Linkup Addis Ababa

Bella Pizza & Pasta

Location: Bole Medhanialem, Near Abyssinia Mall Contact: +251 94 141 5422

Gusto Restaurant

Location: Churchill Road, Tracon Tower 3rd Floor Contact: +251 934 49 7861

Ethiopian Cultural restaurants

Yod Abyssinia Cultural Restaurant

Location: Carl Square, Sar Bet Contact: +2516612985 Known for: Ethiopian food, cultural performances

Location: Africa Avenue, behind Skylight Hotel Contact: +251 91 123 1859 Known for: Ethiopian traditional kitfo (minced meat)

Desalech Kitfo

Dashen Traditional Restaurant

Totot

Location: DAR Sahara Street, Near Swedish Community School Contact: +251 91 120 1723 Known for: Cozy atmosphere, cultural performances

Fendika Cultural Center

Location: Kazanchis Contact: +251 91 154 7577 Known for: Exceptional jazz and Ethiopian Azmaris

Location: Africa Avenue Contact: +251 646 0718 Known for: Ring Road, on the way to Gerji, in front of Anbessa Garage

Middle Eastern & Mediterranean restaurants

Fusion Bistro

Location: Cameroon Street, Across Monarch Hotel Contact: +251 91 000 5151 Known for: Arabian cuisine

Aladdin Restaurant

Location: Off Bole Road, near Japanese Embassy Residence Contact: +251 11 6614109 Known for: Arabian Cuisine

41 I Linkup Addis Ababa

Bait Al Mandi

Istanbul Restaurant

Location: Mickey Leland/ EU Street Contact: +251 91 151 8903 Known for: Middle Eastern Mediterranean Cuisine

Location: Cameroon Street, across Ukranian Embassy Contact: +251 910 17 4728 Known for: Turkish cuisine

The Kitchen

Location: Meskel Square, Inside Hyatt Regency Contact: +251 11 517 1234 Known for: Mediterranean Cuisine

Marketing Companies in Addis Proofit Marketing Solutions Location: Cameroon Street, Gulf Aziz Building, 2nd Floor Contact No: +251 953 42 77 97 info@proofit.com

251 Communications Location: Gabon Street, Aster Plaza, 3rd Floor Contact No: +251 116 63 0182 info@251communications.com https://251communications.com

Zeleman Communications Location: Africa Avenue, Snap Plaza, Snap Plaza, 10th floor Contact No: +251 116 63 2800 info@zeleman.com htttps://zeleman.com

Berry Advertising Location: Cameroon Street, Gulf Aziz Building, 3rd Floor Contact No: +251 930 07 8086 www.berryethiopia.com

42 I Linkup Addis Ababa

Ttree Advertising Location: Cape Verde Street, KT Building, 3rd Floor Contact No: +251 118 21 2112 info@ttreeadvertising.com ttreeadvertising.com

Spotlight Ethiopia Location: Africa Avenue, DH Geda Tower, 7th Floor Contact No: +251 913 98 6445 https://spotlightplc.com

Cactus Communications Location: Africa Avenue, Bedesta Building, 4th floor Contact No: +251 115 54 4901 info@cactusethiopia.com http:// cactusethiopia.com/

Eternal Media & Communication Location: Gabon Street, Aster Plaza Contact No: +251 114 70 3039 info@eternalmedia.com https://eternal-media.com

Parks & Museums in Addis Zoma Museum Location: Mekanisa, Near Abo Church Contact No: https://www. zomamuseum.org/ Feature: Landscaping, gardens, antique shop

Addis Ababa Museum Location: Meskel Square Contact No: http://www. addisababa.gov.et/de/web/guest/ museums#3 Feature: Museum, Restaurant, Panoramic View of Meskel Square

Unity Park

African Unbound

Location: Inside Ethiopian National Palace

Location: Off Churchill Road (On the way to National Palace)

Contact No: Unitypark.et

Contact No: https:// africaunboundmuseum.com/

Feature: Historical palaces, Zoo, cultural museum, restaurants

Feature: African Arts

Entoto Park Location: Entoto Hills Contact No: Feature: Bicycle and track, reading benches, camping site, restaurants, panoramic view of Addis Ababa

Leather shops in Addis Kuncho Design Website: https://www. kunchodesign.com/ Contact: kunchodesign@gmail.com +251 96 799 5384

43 I Linkup Addis Ababa

The leather industry in Addis is thriving with countless local and international leather lines. Here are a few.

Undkǝn- Made in Ethiopia Website: http://www.undken.com/ Contact: +251 912 75 2524

Meron Addis Ababa

Zaaf Collection

Website: https://www. meronaddisababa.com/

Website: https://www. zaafcollection.com/

Contact: info@meronaddisababa.com +251 911 12 2108

Contact: +251 910 14 9965