April 14, 2012 : State Funeral of the most famous Ethiopian artist
The funeral ceremony of the renowned Ethiopian painter, the Most Honorable Maitre Artiste World Laureate Afewerk Tekle was conducted at the cemetery of the Holy Trinity Cathedral on Saturday.
Prior to the funeral ceremony, his family members, friends, senior government officials, diplomats and hundred thousands of fans accompanied his body from his resident Villa Alpha to the cemetery of the Holy Trinity Cathedral.
The farewell ceremony was also accompanied with a military march.
President Girma Woldegiorigs, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, the House of People’s Representatives, ministries, African Union and embassies laid wreaths at the artiste’s grave through their representatives.
In a message sent to the artiste’s family, Prime Minster Meles Zenawi, on behalf of the people of Ethiopia and on his own behalf, expressed deep sorrow over the death of the artiste.
He said efforts of the late Afewerk to promote Ethiopia to the rest of the world were matchless, adding the late artiste is among the most prominent Ethiopian personalities the nation is proud of.
President Girma Woldegiorgis for his part said artiste Afewerk was one of the leading personalities who have been working relentlessly to realize the renaissance of Ethiopia.
The President in his message called on the present-day generation to follow the examples of the matchless artiste. He also wished comfort to the artiste’s family.
Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, His Holiness Abuse Paulos said: “Today is a very sad day for Ethiopia. Yet, Afewerk remains with us through his unforgettable works which continue to inspire others to follow suit.”
Speaker of the House of People’s Representatives Abadulla Gemeda, Mayor of Addis Ababa City, Kuma Demekessa, ministers, ambassadors, renowned personalities as well as hundreds of thousands of the late artiste’s funs attended the funeral procession.
According to an obituary read out at the funeral ceremony, the late Afewerk was born on 22 October 1932 E.C. in the town of Ankober from his mother Felekech Yematawerk and his father Tekle Mano.
The Ethiopian Radio and Television broadcast the funeral procession live from the cemetery of the Holy Trinity Cathedral.
Source: http://www.ertagov.com/erta/erta-news-archive/38-erta-tv-hot-news-addis-ababa-ethiopia/1611-body-of-the-late-maitre-artiste-world-laureate-afewerk-tekle-laid-to-rest.html
