Support Fendika Musicians
Donation protected
The worldwide crisis caused by the Corona virus has made all of us unsafe, physically as well as economically. We try to help each other, the need knows no borders. Yet - the crisis will affect citizens in low-income countries much more than most of us. One of the most stricken groups are artists, who will be unable to perform or exhibit and therefore lose their source of livelihood. It not only affects them, but also their families, their coworkers as well as all of us who draw spiritual sustenance from their art.
"Fendika Cultural Center" is an amazing place in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, a hub of Ethiopian culture of today. Fendika thrice weekly features the best of modern Ethiopian Jazz and progressive music, as well as traditional music and dance. Many of the artists were stars already prior to the military dictatorship, and are now performing alongside young musicians, holding up the time honored musical tradition.
In addition, the Fendika opens its doors to visual and literary artists as well as to community organizations. All of this on a shoestring budget without government support - practicing the belief that art should be available and affordable to the entire community. The heart of Fendika is Mr. Melaku Belay Emiru, one of the best dancers in Ethiopia, who has won many international awards for his art as well as his community engagement.
Despite his fame, he is an extremely humble and frugal man, yet his center provides the livelihood for more than 30 musicians, dancers, and coworkers of the Fendika as well as their families.
The Corona virus threatens all of this. No more performances in front of a full house. Several planned tours of Fendika had to be cancelled, including performances at one of the largest Jazz Festivals in Germany, at the Olympics in Japan, and likely a summer tour in Europe and a fall tour in the U.S.
Fendika will remain closed, likely for many months as Ethiopia is just starting to see the first Corona infected citizens.
Having worked in Ethiopia as a medical volunteer for many years, I have visited the Fendika on many occasions, and experienced some of the best live music performances I have ever seen. I also came to appreciate the spirit of community at the Fendika, and met famous and not-so-famous people from all walks of life - all of them drawn to the Center to be part of something special.
Melaku and Fendika have on many occasions supported and contributed to medical organizations providing obstetric and neonatal care, and presently support the Ethiopian Ministry of Health's campaign to reign in the spread of the Corona virus.
Now, the Fendika is in need of financial support to survive through the coming months. Loans will have to be repaid regardless of the virus, and the artists and coworkers have to support their families. Presently they have no opportunities to present themselves to the public.
There are many other causes equally worthy of support at this time, both in the US as well as abroad, and I am sure many of you have contributed in so many ways. As a lover of music and art, and knowing how much they enrich our lives, I ask you to consider to donate whatever is comfortable for you to Fendika and the cause it represents. You could not find a person more thankful than Melaku.
Please be safe, with my heartfelt thanks -
Thomas Eusterbrock
PS : GoFundMe does not send donations directly to Ethiopia. Therefore I will withdraw the donated funds to my account, and send them via regular bank connections to Melaku.
Please feel free to forward this to friends on social networks.
If you would like more information about Fendika Cultural Center and Melaku, please visit their website :
https://www.fendika.org
They also have a YouTube channel. Enjoy a Fendika “trailor”:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZdbDASHbkg&pbjreload=10
And a summary report of their work in 2019
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0yLIEso2Us
You can also google or otherwise search under "Fendika Cultural Center Melaku Belay" and you'll find lots and lots ... ...
"Fendika Cultural Center" is an amazing place in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, a hub of Ethiopian culture of today. Fendika thrice weekly features the best of modern Ethiopian Jazz and progressive music, as well as traditional music and dance. Many of the artists were stars already prior to the military dictatorship, and are now performing alongside young musicians, holding up the time honored musical tradition.
In addition, the Fendika opens its doors to visual and literary artists as well as to community organizations. All of this on a shoestring budget without government support - practicing the belief that art should be available and affordable to the entire community. The heart of Fendika is Mr. Melaku Belay Emiru, one of the best dancers in Ethiopia, who has won many international awards for his art as well as his community engagement.
Despite his fame, he is an extremely humble and frugal man, yet his center provides the livelihood for more than 30 musicians, dancers, and coworkers of the Fendika as well as their families.
The Corona virus threatens all of this. No more performances in front of a full house. Several planned tours of Fendika had to be cancelled, including performances at one of the largest Jazz Festivals in Germany, at the Olympics in Japan, and likely a summer tour in Europe and a fall tour in the U.S.
Fendika will remain closed, likely for many months as Ethiopia is just starting to see the first Corona infected citizens.
Having worked in Ethiopia as a medical volunteer for many years, I have visited the Fendika on many occasions, and experienced some of the best live music performances I have ever seen. I also came to appreciate the spirit of community at the Fendika, and met famous and not-so-famous people from all walks of life - all of them drawn to the Center to be part of something special.
Melaku and Fendika have on many occasions supported and contributed to medical organizations providing obstetric and neonatal care, and presently support the Ethiopian Ministry of Health's campaign to reign in the spread of the Corona virus.
Now, the Fendika is in need of financial support to survive through the coming months. Loans will have to be repaid regardless of the virus, and the artists and coworkers have to support their families. Presently they have no opportunities to present themselves to the public.
There are many other causes equally worthy of support at this time, both in the US as well as abroad, and I am sure many of you have contributed in so many ways. As a lover of music and art, and knowing how much they enrich our lives, I ask you to consider to donate whatever is comfortable for you to Fendika and the cause it represents. You could not find a person more thankful than Melaku.
Please be safe, with my heartfelt thanks -
Thomas Eusterbrock
PS : GoFundMe does not send donations directly to Ethiopia. Therefore I will withdraw the donated funds to my account, and send them via regular bank connections to Melaku.
Please feel free to forward this to friends on social networks.
If you would like more information about Fendika Cultural Center and Melaku, please visit their website :
https://www.fendika.org
They also have a YouTube channel. Enjoy a Fendika “trailor”:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZdbDASHbkg&pbjreload=10
And a summary report of their work in 2019
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0yLIEso2Us
You can also google or otherwise search under "Fendika Cultural Center Melaku Belay" and you'll find lots and lots ... ...
Organizer
Thomas Eusterbrock
Organizer
Berkeley, CA
